BURNING ISSUE

Junta determined to have non-elected PM option

Rumours flow of generals doing deals with influential politicians ahead of referendum and election

Although the first draft of the new constitution will not be completed until next month, it is becoming clear that Thais will have to accept the version in which a "non-elected prime minister" has room to assume power, no matter how strong the opposition is.

The junta's nominee influencing the drafting, Prasong Soonsiri, chairman of the 35-member Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), supposedly came out into the open on the issue during the CDC's six-day retreat in Cha-am two weeks ago.

He insisted the new charter should open the way for non-Parliament members to be appointed prime minister, in case the nation found itself in despair over being able to get rid of an undesirable elected premier -like Thaksin Shinawatra.

Coincidentally, Prasong made his move while a top leader of the Council for National Security (CNS) - General Winai Phattiyakul - was urging the constitution drafters to include a "way-out" clause for the country by not slamming the door on "outsiders".

He claimed the people had had enough experience over recent years to realise that a prime minister taking power from an election could not necessarily guarantee "national excellence".

The CNS had been warned, even before the 100-member Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) began its work, that it should not even consider the possibility of a non-elected prime minister, no matter the circumstances.

It is not a point of what is positive or what is detrimental to the country. It is one that could put national harmony, unity and security in jeopardy.

Although a number of people were glad to see Thaksin depart, even if it had to take a coup, any extension of military rule has never been a welcomed thing in Thailand ever since the 1932 revolution.

History shows the military is just another interest group, which prefers to serve its own interests, rather than bringing civilians into its ruling circle.

Even though the junta under General Sonthi Boonyaratglin promises to return civilian rule by year's end, the uprisings of 1973, 1976 and 1992 - each of which ended in bloodshed - remind us that the military should not be trusted.

The drafting of the new charter, according to the interim constitution of 2006, requires the CDC to ask the CDA to approve the first draft before a national referendum is held.

If the CDA rejects the draft, the ruling CNS will have the power to pick and adjust one of the 17 previous charters, before asking for royal endorsement and declaring it the new constitution.

Many people still believe in the stereotype of military juntas. They will somehow have a plan to retain power through the next administration, either directly or indirectly.

They cannot allow their deposed predecessors to return to power before they ensure that everything is under their control. Otherwise, the self-proclaimed heroes could become criminals overnight.

Moreover, the worsening situation under the Surayud Chulanont government has concerned the ruling CNS that the ship might sink soon, if nothing is done.

Therefore, it is not surprising to hear reports that some top CNS leaders have negotiated with influential figures, who recently resigned from the Thai Rak Thai Party, over the issue of post-election Thailand.

The deal is that one of the CNS members, or its "right" nominee, assumes the prime minister's post with the support of those heavyweights through voting in the Lower House. In return, they will "survive" Thai Rak Thai's dissolution, in which they would have been banned from assuming political posts for five years if found guilty.

When Prasong raised the flag of the non-elected premier, he knew how the public would react. Academics, activists and observers cried foul over the proposal, calling for voters to reject the final draft in the referendum.

Should Prasong care? Absolutely not.

If the final draft is rejected either by the CDA or by the voters, the CNS is likely to fulfil Prasong's dream because it would then choose and adjust a previous charter to serve its needs before making it the "new" constitution of the kingdom.

The junta will not fail in its bid for an appointed prime minister a second time.

Running politics is about managing public perception, though. It does not matter how many times the junta utters words of sincerity. If the people believe it will cling to power through manipulation of the constitution, then any peaceful transition to civilian rule will be a pipe dream.

Weerayut Chokchaimadon

The Nation

"He insisted the new charter should open the way for non-Parliament members to be appointed prime minister, in case the nation found itself in despair over being able to get rid of an undesirable elected premier -like Thaksin Shinawatra."

Oh REALLY?

And just who is the "NATION" trying to get rid of the undesirable elected Premier?
Certainly not the overwhelming majority of voters who supported Thaksin in the last 2 elections.

This junta is really having trouble coming to terms with democracy.

The danger for everyone is that if this junta write a constitution with short term goals and specifically designed only against Thaksin, it will lead to some major problems down the line.

A constitution to work effectively has to be fair and consider all possible scenarios down the line. But no worries,-- a new government. A new coup, and a new constitution next time the generals and their political masters dont like the way things are going. The anti-Thaksin constitution will have to do Thailand until the next military take over. Oh yea, immunity from prosecution for coup leaders too, that should be in there as well.

Quote:They cannot allow their deposed predecessors to return to power before they ensure that everything is under their control. Otherwise, the self-proclaimed heroes could become criminals overnight.

This is the truest line I've read in months. I've had the feeling that they focus most of their energy looking over their shoulder and trying to make sure the ones they overthrew don't have a chance to get back into power. When they should be looking ahead and trying to steer the ship before it hits any more rocks and sinks.

Today in the Nation.

Quote:Sonthi: Former TRT members suspected of supporting anti-govt rally


Former Thai Rak Thai members are under investigation and will be prosecuted if found to have financially supported an antigovernment rally on Friday, junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said Sunday.

Council for National Security chief Sonthi has a list of former Thai Rak Thai Party members believed to be behind the Sanam Luang rally.

First Army Region commander Lt General Prayuth Chanocha susฌpected an "old political power group" financially supported the rally. Investigators are following the money trail.

"We believe they are behind the rally. Otherwise, the number of peoฌple attending would not have been so great. If investigations find a link, we will prosecute them under Council for National Security laws,'' he said.

He said the government had been moderate with protestors but forฌmer power cliques exploited this leniency to create political turmoil. "From now on we have to strictly enforce the law and urge people not to be used as political tools,'' he said.

The Nation