NRC man says an 'outsider' could lead country forward
The Defence Ministry's proposal for an "outsider" prime minister has sparked much criticism from politicians that it is undemocratic.
"If Thailand wants to be seen as a democratic country, the prime minister should come from an election [by the people] rather than be an outsider," Udomdej Rattanasatien, a former Pheu Thai MP, said yesterday.
The Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence on Wednesday submitted ideas for sweeping changes to the political sector to the National Reform Council (NRC). Among the proposals were the direct election of the prime minister and the appointment by the legislature of a "non-politician" as the head of government.
Udomdej said there was an attempt to make the public accept the concept of a non-elected prime minister, which was manipulating people's ideas of what a democratic country was.
Former Democrat MP Attawit Suwanpakdee said a non-elected PM could cause more disputes.
"If the prime minister does not come from an election, it will cause a bigger problem for the country later, and it is not the way of democracy," he said.
However, Prasan Maruekapitak, an NRC member for political affairs, supported the idea of an unelected PM, saying it would be another way to help the country move forward.
A popularly elected prime minister is not the only solution for the problems of the country. Giving an outsider the opportunity to govern the country might be another way to relieve the country's problems, he said.
"In the past we have learned that sometimes an election was dominated by some people. Their purpose was to amend the constitution for their personal gain. So an election should not be justified as the ultimate goal for democracy," he said.
The proposal by the Defence Ministry to the NRC raised fears that the junta might want to control the reform council by forcing it to follow its ideas.
The NRC will provide input to the Constitution Drafting Committee.
Prasan claimed that the proposals might be helpful to the NRC and could make the its work more efficient and according to plan.
However, another NRC member, Seree Suwanphanont, argued that the reform council was not controlled by the junta.
The NRC would listen to all proposals made by agencies or individuals on how to reform the country, he said.
"We will consider and listen, and will provide solutions for the country," he said.
The military-led government has not ruled out the possibility of staging a referendum on the new charter.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the provisional constitution did not mention a referendum, but the government would consider whether one would be worthwhile.
"If people call for [the referendum] and the situation is right, we may have to allow the referendum to take place and set up a stage for supporters and detractors," he said.
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked for more time to decide whether a referendum should be held, he said.
NRC man says an 'outsider' could lead country forwardThe Defence Ministry's proposal for an "outsider" prime minister has sparked much criticism from politicians that it is undemocratic."If Thailand wants to be seen as a democratic country, the prime minister should come from an election [by the people] rather than be an outsider," Udomdej Rattanasatien, a former Pheu Thai MP, said yesterday.The Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence on Wednesday submitted ideas for sweeping changes to the political sector to the National Reform Council (NRC). Among the proposals were the direct election of the prime minister and the appointment by the legislature of a "non-politician" as the head of government.Udomdej said there was an attempt to make the public accept the concept of a non-elected prime minister, which was manipulating people's ideas of what a democratic country was.Former Democrat MP Attawit Suwanpakdee said a non-elected PM could cause more disputes."If the prime minister does not come from an election, it will cause a bigger problem for the country later, and it is not the way of democracy," he said.However, Prasan Maruekapitak, an NRC member for political affairs, supported the idea of an unelected PM, saying it would be another way to help the country move forward.A popularly elected prime minister is not the only solution for the problems of the country. Giving an outsider the opportunity to govern the country might be another way to relieve the country's problems, he said."In the past we have learned that sometimes an election was dominated by some people. Their purpose was to amend the constitution for their personal gain. So an election should not be justified as the ultimate goal for democracy," he said.The proposal by the Defence Ministry to the NRC raised fears that the junta might want to control the reform council by forcing it to follow its ideas. The NRC will provide input to the Constitution Drafting Committee.Prasan claimed that the proposals might be helpful to the NRC and could make the its work more efficient and according to plan.However, another NRC member, Seree Suwanphanont, argued that the reform council was not controlled by the junta.The NRC would listen to all proposals made by agencies or individuals on how to reform the country, he said."We will consider and listen, and will provide solutions for the country," he said.The military-led government has not ruled out the possibility of staging a referendum on the new charter. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the provisional constitution did not mention a referendum, but the government would consider whether one would be worthwhile. "If people call for [the referendum] and the situation is right, we may have to allow the referendum to take place and set up a stage for supporters and detractors," he said.Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked for more time to decide whether a referendum should be held, he said.
การแปล กรุณารอสักครู่..