Thread: House speaker recommends fast-track charter rewrite

A third reading? Democrats to walk - The Nation

The opposition Democrat Party yesterday threatened to walk out of Parliament if the Pheu Thai-led coalition goes ahead with a third reading of the charter amendment bill tomorrow.

What I love about this CC issue, is how it will smoke out true characteristics.

Many would agree with me that this CC is a coupist beholden institution, advancing and protecting coupist intentions. Objectives they studiously built into the judiciary and Constitution during their hold on unelected power between 2006 and the election.

That being the case, this Democrat Party initiative squarely exposes them for what they are. Their allegiance to this Coupist entity exceeds their affinity for Parliamentary procedures.

The PTP is also exposed. Will they waffle in the face of this Amart/coupist/CC attack, or will they acquiesce to their political base, The UDD/Red Shirts? Lets see if the have the 'brass' to follow through. The UDD/RS are watching closely.

It has exposed the UDD/Red Shirts as thoroughly affiliated with a democratically elected process and Parliament.

The above also applies to Ms. Y.

He said the Speaker should give priority to national interests instead of acting on someone's orders.

Nothing to do with National Interests.

Just another of the numerous occasions when the Opposition/PAD/Amart confuse themselves with the population at large, and assumes their agenda is shared by those outside their fold.

That in spite of their repudiation at the Polls.

Showdown in House looms on court order | Bangkok Post: news

Democrat Party and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva reiterated his call for the government to close the current parliamentary session to avoid conflict between the court and parliament.

Self-servingly seeking closure of Parliament using diversionary tactics of quoting court/Parliament conflict, advanced by this ICC investigated Politician.


[QUOTE][I]Meanwhile, a recent Suan Dusit poll found 40% of 2,430 respondents wanted the government to use reason to resolve political conflicts rather than violent means.

There we go again.

In the midst of issue resolution, the Amart resorts to laundering their view of things through their researchy stuff.

Use reason instead of violence?....What the hell is that all about.

What does majority Parliamentary rule expediting their mandate got to do with 'violence'......unless of course you want to describe it as such.

This idiocy plus their constant efforts to equate Parliamentary majority rule with Parliamentary dictatorship is as clear an indication as any, about their non-electoral Democracy inclinations.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

I doubt there will be a coup. The military want these amnesties. Don't forget that Thaksin would be only one beneficiary of an amnesty bill. The main beneficiaries would be those who made the last coup.

Can't see this at all.

What evidence is there to suggest that the coup-makers are in any way threatened by legal sanctions for their actions?

Historical precedent has been followed up till now and one (reluctant?) backer of the coup has been given a spot on the Privy Council. And given the recent surge in judicial appointees to said august body, surely at least one more military member will be accommodated once a spot comes open.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

This is the bribe offered by PT in return for allowing Thaksin back.

yeah, we got that. Also the embarrassing truth about the MIB being sponsored by Thaksin and making the reds not the innocent or non-terrorists they claim to be. They got a good beating and they deserved it. The fools who attended those demonstrations should have known better. They were innocent but were guilty by association, sadly. Regardless, the truth should be told, no matter how ugly, so Thai can start to realize how much stupid they are and what kind of idiots is leading them into self-made conflicts.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

That's why I find this nonsense about the government attempting to overthrow the monarchy so ridiculous.

I wouldn't be so sure. I think at this stage the CC simply mistrust the PT motives and don't want another nasty backstabbing surprise by Thaksin and friends. It's actually their way to "slow down" the bribing process.

The CC is actually doing everyone a favor, that bill needs to be rejected and for some reason, the enlightened and "awakened" base is not moving and complaining about the bill. So much for political enlightenment after all, they don't seem to have any.

Coalition whips resolve to delay third reading - The Nation

Coalition whips resolve to delay third reading

June 11, 2012 1:48 pm

The coalition coordination committee on parliamentary affairs resolved Monday to delay the third reading of charter amendment bill, the chief whip said.

Chief coalition whip Udomdej Rattanasathien said the whips resolved that the Parliament could proceed with the third reading but it should not do it now.

Udomdej said the whips saw that the third reading would be in conflict with the Constitution Court's order so the whip decided not to have the third reading put on meeting agenda during a joint sitting of MPs and senators on Tuesday.

He said if the whips saw that if the third reading went ahead Tuesday, opponents would seek another ruling from the Constitution Court against the charter amendment bill.

The Nation


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Jurin: Opposition to boycott third reading of charter amendment bill - The Nation

Jurin: Opposition to boycott third reading of charter amendment bill

June 11, 2012 1:39 pm

Chief opposition whip and Democrat MP Jurin Laksanavisit said Monday that the opposition would boycott the third reading of the charter amendment bill if the Pheu Thai decides to go ahead with it.

The Pheu Thai is scheduled to meet at 2 pm Monday to decide whether to defy an injunction of the Constitution Court to delay the third reading pending a court ruling. The court has decided to review whether the amendment is deemed unconstitutional or not.

Jurin said if the Pheu Thai decides to go ahead with the third reading, those who participate in the passage of the bill might be deemed as having violated the charter.

He added that the prime minister might have problem regarding to the charter requirement for her to submit the charter amendment bill for a royal command within 20 days after it clears the third reading by the joint sitting of MPs and senators.

The Nation

Korkaew pushes for charter bill vote | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Korkaew pushes for charter bill vote

• Published: 11/06/2012 at 04:31 PM
• Online news:

Pheu Thai Party list MP Korkaew Pikulthong has urged Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont to go ahead and call a vote on the charter amendment bill in the third reading during Tuesday's joint meeting.

He said this after government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathien said there would not be a vote on the bill because this was not on the agenda for tomorrow's joint sitting of parliament.

Going against the Constitution Court's order to delay the third reading of the bill could make way for the opposition to seek a court interpretation, which would only further delay the charter amendment process, Mr Udomdej said.

But Mr Korkaew, a core member of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, held a different opinion.

He said if Mr Somsak yielded to the court's order it would be tantamount to admitting that the judiciary was above the rule of law.

"If the parliament president is scared and complies with the court's order, we would no longer give him respect. If in the future some members of parliament drag away his chair, pull him by the arm, throw documents at him, or scold him, we would not protect him again.

"We can't afford to fight alongside a coward," Mr Korkaew said, referring to the melee in the parliament chamber on May 30-31.

The red-shirt MP also showed the minutes of a meeting of the constitution drafting assembly on June 18, 2010 which showed a CDA member's suggestion - that a person who knows of an act to amend the constitution in a way to overthrow the administration is required to submit a petition tor the Office of the Attorney General to examine and then forward it to the Constitution Court - was agreed on by the meeting.

The meeting was also attended by some Constitution Court judges, including Charan Pakdithanakul, Supoj Khaimuk and Nurak Mapraneet, he said.

Mr Korkaew said the court's acceptance of the petitions and order to delay the third reading of the charter amendment bill was, therefore, unusual.

However, senator Sai Kangkawekin, from Rayong, said he wanted parliament to delay the third reading of the bill.

It was not necessary to rush it because nobody could tell what the consequences of denying the court's order would be, he said.

Monthien Boontan, an appointed senator, said parliament should first take up other issues which benefit the people and are not controversial.

Tuang Anthachai, another appointed senator, called for all concerned to wait for the Constitution Court's ruling on the petitions and have faith in the court, otherwise other countries would not dare to enter a trade commitment with Thailand.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

The Constitution Court has interfered with parliament and if this is allowed to continue a serious crisis in the country may follow, Chaturon Chaisaeng said on Sunday.

And for this attack on democracy crime the CC should be immediately disbanded and its members imprisoned

You can't argue with that

^
As I mentioned previously, this CC political event, exposes everyone.

The rationale for the CC stepping in is totally spurious. If this is not obvious to you, it most certainly is to me.

Its roots are also very obvious.

So folks, stand where you will on this one.........."By their works shall ye know them, and by your words, we shall know you"

How far will Somsak push defiance of court? - The Nation

Analysis

How far will Somsak push defiance of court?

Avudh Panananda
The Nation June 12, 2012 1:00 am


Decision on charter reading lies with the Parliament chief after Pheu Thai Party votes to challenge top judges

All eyes are on the Parliament president today after his ruling Pheu Thai Party resolved to challenge the Constitution Court's order to postpone the final vote on the charter amendment bill.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday after the party's meeting that even though Pheu Thai MPs agreed to defy the court, it would be up to Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont to decide when to call the final vote on the bill.

Voting to defy the Constitution Court's order is likely today. It was meant to be a show of protest against "interference" in legislative affairs, but Prompong refused to say whether the defiance would be followed by the third reading.

Voting to defy the court but holding the final vote on the charter bill could be a tactical retreat by the government from a collision course with the Constitution Court.

Somsak has a big role to play. He can either facilitate an immediate final vote on the bill, or delay it until the court makes its final interpretation on the "constitutionality" of the draft.

Government whips, meanwhile, have proposed to end the current extended session of Parliament next Tuesday.

The next session will convene on August 1.

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathien said the House-Senate meeting today would continue the consultation on the Constitution Court's injunction from last Friday.

Asked if the government whip will wait for the Constitution Court's ruling, he said the government will only go on if the agenda is scheduled. However, in the House-Senate meeting today, there might be an opinion session on whether the Constitution Court's injunction is effective on Parliament.

Udomdej also gave assurances that the government will not proceed with the reconciliation bill in this session and would like to make a clear statement to people as it had been used to stir people up.

Senator Somchai Sawangkarn said during the Senate meeting that the Senate should not join the meeting scheduled for today as 20 members can approve a motion for a vote on whether to accept the Constitution Court's order to halt deliberation on the charter amendment bill.

"I have checked the law carefully. If this is pushed through, the Parliament president must face criminal charges and consequently be out of the post. I'm worried. We should stop, also the push for the reconciliation bill that [is expected] to be brought to the meeting [tomorrow]. If it moves on, a crisis might occur," he said.

'Confirm agenda'

The Democrat Party urged the Parliament president to confirm the agenda for today.

Democrat MP Ong-art Klampai-boon said there was a possibility that the House would agree to respond to the Constitution Court's injunction and some members might ask the House to vote on the charter bill right after that.

A red-shirt leader continued to push for a show of hands on the charter bill and vowed not to protect a "cowardly" Parliament president.

Pheu Thai MP Korkaew Pikulthong said the Parliament president should let Parliament vote on the bill without waiting for the court's ruling. He should not be afraid of the threat that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Cabinet must be held responsible and face charges.

The yellow shirts asked the Attorney-General's Office to explain why it delayed considering the case over doubts that the charter bill was constitutional and did not pass the complaints over the legality of the charter bill to the Constitution Court. The group also threatened to file a malfeasance suit against the state prosecutors.

Panthep Pourpongpan, spokesman for the People's Alliance for Democracy, said that on April 26, PAD had filed a complaint with the Attorney-General but they did nothing after more than a month. It later abused its power and acted as the court in deciding on the issue without authority, the spokesman said.

PAD also submitted the same complaint directly to the Constitution Court after the Attorney-General had neglected to do its job, Panthep said

Govt realises it needs top court on side - The Nation

Burning Issue

Govt realises it needs top court on side

Avudh Panananda
The Nation June 12, 2012 1:00 am


The government appears to be moving in the right direction to defuse the tension over charter change.

Despite the battle cry of the red shirts, coalition whips are working to pacify the opposition rather than flex their majority might to inflame the situation.

Chief coalition whip Udomdej Ratanasatien has confirmed Parliament will not vote today on final passage of the charter change bill.

In a related development, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont earlier shelved debate on the reconciliation bill due to the strong opposition to granting amnesty for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

This means the opposing camps will have time to cool down before the next parliamentary session.

The conflict is, however, far from over. The upcoming House recess is a welcome respite from fractious politics. Unless the anti- and pro-government camps can work out a compromise, political volatility will not dissipate.

Between the two contentious issues, changing the charter is more of a risk for triggering political strife than amnesty for Thaksin.

The reconciliation bill, sponsored by Matubhum Party leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is one of several options designed to rescue Thaksin. Serious debate on the fate of the ousted prime minister is expected to take place in conjunction with the charter drafting process.

Many see the Sonthi-sponsored bill as a decoy to test the political wind before the actual legislation to absolve Thaksin of his conviction and punishment is unveiled.

To prevent a repeat of political strife, the government is obliged to carefully plot its next move to ensure the drafting of a new charter is acceptable to all sides.

The push to weed out influence from the 2006 coup over the political system is admirable if the advancement of democracy is the actual goal. But doubts remain about an ulterior motive to manipulate the political system to get revenge on individuals and agencies seen as opposed to Thaksin.

The coalition whips are spot-on with their assessment that smooth passage of charter change will hinge on the judicial inquiry by the Constitution Court.

The government, legislature and judiciary must work together instead of against one another if the country is to thrive in a democracy.

Change to the Constitution is meant to enshrine a sustainable political system. The key word is "sustainable", which will not happen if the three powers vested by the people are out of sync with one another before the drafting process commences.

A rush to vote on the bill is futile because the charter rewrite cannot start until the constitutionality issue is settled by the high court.

Government legal strategists have to map out an elaborate plan to defeat the complaints against charter change.

First, the government will have to decide whether to take the lead role in the judicial inquiry or delegate the responsibility to the legislature, particularly the coalition whips.

Second, the rebuttals have to overcome an unresolved issue - why the Parliament president is designated to review the constitutionality of the charter draft in lieu of the high court.

Although the coalition agreed, during the vetting process, to instruct the Constitution Drafting Assembly not to change the provisions on the monarchy, it insisted on bypassing the high court should a dispute on constitutionality arise before the referendum vote.

This has fuelled suspicion about a hidden agenda.

The judicial inquiry is tentatively scheduled to commence early next month and be completed within a month. If the opposing sides rely on reason, an amicable settlement on charter change should emerge soon.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/poli...l-vote-delayed

Yingluck wants charter change bill vote delayed

• Published: 12/06/2012 at 02:49 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra wants to delay a vote on the constitutional amendment bill to avoid potentially serious consequences that could backfire on her, a highly placed source within the Pheu Thai Party says.

The source said a meeting Monday of the party's strategic committee, led by former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, agreed with a recommendation of a team of advisers to Ms Yingluck that the vote be put off.
The recommendation was then brought up for discussion at a meeting of Pheu Thai MPs yesterday.

The proposal to delay the vote drew fierce opposition from some red-shirt MPs, including Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Nattawut Saikuar and Korkaew Pikulthong, who want parliament to vote on the charter bill during the joint session today.

Pheu Thai MPs who support the proposal to delay the vote included Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, the source said.

Several MPs want the party to tread carefully on the issue. They are concerned that if the House votes to pass the charter amendment bill in defiance of the Constitution Court's order to suspend parliamentary deliberation of the law, Ms Yingluck could land in serious trouble.

Under the law, if the House votes to pass the bill the prime minister must submit the charter amendment legislation for royal endorsement. If royal approval is delayed, the prime minister may be in dire straits, the source said.

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathien said there will not be a vote on the charter change bill during the House-Senate joint sitting today because it is not on the meeting agenda.

Mr Udomdej, a Pheu Thai MP for Nonthaburi, said members of the two houses would be allowed to continue the debate on the Constitution Court's injunction, after having failed to reach a conclusion on Friday.

Mr Udomdej said many members of the two houses wanted a vote on the charter amendment bill to take place right after the debate.

But doing so would only make way for the opposition to seek Constitution Court intervention again and this would further delay the charter amendment process, Mr Udomdej said.

Mr Korkaew, a core member of the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, said if Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont yielded to the court's order it would be tantamount to admitting that the legislative branch "is grovelling at the feet of the judiciary".

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Thiradej Meepian said yesterday the Senate has accepted petitions filed seeking the removal of Mr Somsak as House speaker.

Petitioners have accused Mr Somsak of violating the constitution by recommending that parliament debate the reconciliation bills urgently.

The Senate also accepted a petition from the red shirts seeking the impeachment of seven Constitution Court judges who ordered the debate on the charter rewrite bill suspended.

Parliament president reaffirms no vote on 3rd reading of charter amendment draft

Parliament president reaffirms no vote on 3rd reading of charter amendment draft

วันอังคาร ที่ 12 มิ.ย. 2555

Parliament president reaffirms no vote on 3rd reading of charter amendment draft, reconciliation bills in current joint parliament session

Interviews with Jatuporn at the moment seem to suggest that not going to a third reading in defiance of the CC is a strategic move, with the issue left wide open for doing so at an opportune time.

It can be activated at a propitiuos moment at any time. It remains 'on the table' so to speak.

This decision can be viewed as being cowardly or strategically smart.

I don't sense a UDD/RS upset about this around here. Just an acceptance of political calculations.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

This has fuelled suspicion about a hidden agenda.

no, you think ?

Originally Posted by Calgary

Interviews with Jatuporn at the moment seem to suggest that not going to a third reading in defiance of the CC is a strategic move, with the issue left wide open for doing so at an opportune time.

Jutaporn along the other red cowards are simply listening to what their master are saying.

There is no awakening, it's all basic mass manipulation by ambitious nouveau bourgeois

meanwhile, the peasants are back in the fields working and chanting

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...-vote-deferred

Somsak: Charter bill vote deferred

• Published: 12/06/2012 at 12:14 PM
• Online news:

The third reading of the charter amendment bill and deliberation of the reconciliation bills will be postponed to the next parliamentary session, Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont said on Tuesday.

"There will definitely not be a vote on the charter amendment bill and no deliberation of the reconciliation bills in this parliamentary session.


Somsak Kiatsuranont (File Photo)

"I have coordinated with the cabinet. A draft royal decree for the closure of parliament is expected to be tabled to the cabinet for approval today," Mr Somsak said.

Mr Somsak's remarks ended speculation that the vote in the third reading of the charter amendment bill might be called during today's House-Senate joint sitting.

The parliament president said he made this decision because he did not wanti to see conflict in society and the Pheu Thai Party gave him the full authority to do so.

"My decision was based on the best interests of the country. I don't want to see the loss of even one more Thai," Mr Somsak said.

Mr Somsak said since parliament had taken a step backward, all sides concerned should do likewise and turn to each other and talk to find a solution to the conflict.

Earlier, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanavisit said if a proposal was made during today's meeting for a vote to show approval or disapproval of the Constitution Court's order, or for a vote on the amendment bill in the third reading, Democrat Party MPs would stage a walkout.

The opposition was of the opinion the court's order wto temporarily suspend the vote was legal.

If the order was defied, members of parliament who voted for it must accept the consequences which might follow, Mr Jurin said.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingn...d-says-korkaew

Reds disappointed, says Korkaew

• Published: 12/06/2012 at 01:25 PM
• Online news:

Pheu Thai list MP Korkaew Pikulthong says red-shirt MPs in the party were disappointed with Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont for announcing the postponement of the third reading of the charter amendment bill until the next parliamentary session.

He said Mr Somsak's announcement was tantamount to an admission of the defeat of the legislative branch by the judiciary, which ordered parliament to delay deliberation of the bill in the third reading.

The defeat left a bad mark on parliament and he agreed with Democrat Party former leader Chuan Leekpai, who said Thai democracy was at its lowest ebb in 80 years, said Mr Korkaew, a core member of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship.

"I have received messages via mobile phone from people expressing their wish to resign from the red-shirts.

"Personally I want the red-shirts to stay calm. We (the red-shirts in Pheu Thai) understand the decision and are willing to swallow the blood once again and remain patient. But, we want to let it be known that our patience also has a limit," said the red-shirt MP.

Mr Korkaew said the red-shirts would continue to support the Pheu Thai-led government and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

"It would be pointless for us to bring down our own government and allow the opposition to step in and take its place," he said.

the PT and Red logic defy common sense,

first opposing reconciliation under the Democrats, and now supporting it blindly even though they are getting fucked

completely useless,

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

The Reds believe he is - it's just refreshing they've been awakened to their plight and are ready to fight for their lot.

sounds like you are a true supporter of fascism,

Mao would be proud

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

The Reds believe he is - it's just refreshing they've been awakened to their plight and are ready to fight for their lot.

sounds like you are a true supporter of fascism,

Mao would be proud

You just blamed other person of being a fascist for 817:th time now? Did you know? Amazing is it, every time with no justification