Meechai elected Speaker as post-coup Thai parliament convenes

BANGKOK, Oct 24 (TNA) - Thailand's top legal expert has been elected Speaker of the Kingdom's unicameral National Legislative Assembly.

Gaining 167 votes--or 71 per cent of 235 votes cast for the leading candidates--was 68-year-old Meechai Ruchuphan, Prasong Soonsiri placed second with 47 votes--20 per cent of the total, while Dr. Purachai Piamsomboon placed third with 21 votes, or 9 per cent.

Five weeks after the September 19 bloodless coup d'etat that brought down the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, Thailand's 242-member National Legislative Assembly has begun to function as the Kingdom's single-chamber parliament after being appointed by the Council for National Security (CNS).

The first session was presided over by 88-year-old veteran parliamentarian Nanthaka Suprapatanan, the oldest legislator in the chamber.

Mr. Meechai, 68, twice served as Senate Speaker and is considered the Kingdom's top legal expert. He was Prime Minister's Office Minister during the administrations of Prem Tinsulanonda and Chatichai Choonhavan.

Civil groups cried foul over his candidacy, arguing that his record was tainted as he had served deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and also engineered a bill to grant clemency to the millitary rulers who conducted a coup d'etat in 1991 toppling the Chatichai administration.

The runner-up, Prasong Soonsiri, 79, is former secretary-general of the National Security Council and was once secretary of the prime minister Prem Tinsulanonda.

Two duo ran neck-to-neck in pre-session straw votes.

Dr. Purachai Piamsomboon, a former deputy prime minister and interior minister in the Thaksin administration, was dubbed "Mr. Clean" for his staunch anti-corruption line, Dr. Purachai announced his retirement from politics early 2005 to spend more time with his family. Brought into government for his known integrity and long-term acquaintance with Mr. Thaksin, Dr. Purachai ruffled feathers among politicians and bureaucrats alike.

Under the interim charter, the National Legislative Assembly is mandated to serve as the House of Representatives, the Senate at the same time. NLA members may submit motions to question cabinet members, but the ministers have the right to refuse to answer. Legislators cannot pass a vote of confidence or no-confidence, leading critics to suggest the NLA does not have enough power.

The militarily-appointed NLA includes persons from all walks of life--including politicians, academics, retired and presently serving civil servants, representatives from Muslim organisations in the far South, civic group members and media professionals.

Some critics labelled it "the Chamber of Generals" as the largest single group--35 persons, or 14 per cent--are military officers.

TNA