POLITICS
MANOP THIP-OSOD & PENCHAN CHAROENSUTHIPAN
Senators attacked Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday over a lack of leadership, failure to tackle economic problems and accused him of working under Thaksin Shinawatra's influence.
The Senate launched the one-day general debate on the government's performance after the administration agreed on Saturday to the motion filed by 61 senators in a bid to ease political tensions that have been intensified by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
Phetchaburi Senator Sumol Sutawiriyawat accused the prime minister of lacking leadership skills, which had led to the complete failure of his government.
The government had failed to help farmers end the problem of falling paddy prices and businessmen, fishermen and villagers cope with soaring fuel costs.
All this had led to protests in many locations, including road blockades in the North and Northeast, she said.
Sumol: Samak lacks
leadership skills |
Chusak: Defends
charter review |
During the four-month administration, civil servants also faced unfair transfers, such as with the government's intervention in the Public Health Ministry and judicial system, Ms Sumol added.
The senator questioned the government's stance on deposed prime minister Thaksin and his attempts to bring into the country foreign investment in various fields, thereby allowing foreigners to take control of the country's resources.
Senator Khamnoon Sitthisamarn accused the Samak administration of failing to protect the monarchy and the constitutional monarchy system as well as trying to amend the constitution, which was intended at undermining the power of the monarchy and privy councillors.
He suggested Mr Samak and his cabinet be replaced.
The prime minister insisted on his legitimacy to run the country as leader of the party with the majority of MPs in the House of Representatives.
Mr Samak made it clear that high oil prices were an outside factor beyond the control of the government.
"Would oil prices not reach US$139 per barrel if another party led the coalition? Oil prices are soaring worldwide," said Mr Samak.
Mr Samak again denied he was a political nominee of Mr Thaksin, but questioned if being a nominee was illegal.
PM's Office Minister Chusak Sirinin defended the charter review supported by his People Power party (PPP), saying the draft did not undermine the monarchy or privy councillors' status. It mentioned no changes to articles about the monarchy and privy councillors found in the current constitution.
PPP spokesman Kudep Saikrachang said at party headquarters that Mr Samak would not give in to pressure and would not resign nor dissolve parliament.
Mr Kudep said Mr Samak told the PPP meeting yesterday he would allow the opposition a full 35 hours to grill the government in the censure debate which starts in the House today.
Somchai Jitsuchon, a research director at the Thailand Development Research Institute, said the government deserved only a "passing grade" for its economic policies since it took office four months ago.
The government should focus on tackling rising inflation rather than boosting growth, he said.
It needed to develop strategies to help the country cope in the event of a "worst-case" global downturn.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Next
