Senators demand purge of cabinet crooks

PM urged to prove his determination

Surasak Tumcharoen and Ploenpote Atthakor

Some senators urged Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to weed out suspect cabinet members after he narrowly escaped charges of concealing his assets.

Senator Wallop Tungkananurak said the premier should prove his determination to resolve economic problems and eradicate political and bureaucratic corruption.

He said Mr Thaksin should start by sacking lazy or corrupt cabinet members.

"If the premier does not make up a more acceptable cabinet, all the pledges made during the election campaign would become empty promises."Despite Mr Thaksin's reputation as a "clean and competent" executive, many of his cabinet colleagues did not have such a clean record. He was obliged to keep a close watch on his cabinet members to make sure his administration keeps its promise to uproot corruption and fight poverty.

Senator Kasem Rungtanakiat also said the prime minister should call a cabinet reshuffle. "There is nothing else the premier should be afraid of. Now it's time to weed out the corrupt elements," he said.

Senator Chirmsak Pinthong said Mr Thaksin's victory on Friday cast doubts over the ability of independent agencies like the Constitutional Court and the National Counter-Corruption Commission to efficiently eradicate corruption and malfeasance.

He said those agencies were headed down "the road to ruin" because the prime minister's victory showed other politicians they could also get away with concealing their assets.

"The NCCC in the future might have to lower its criteria in its bid to contain corruption among politicians. The politicians might not have to file any more wealth as required by Article 295."He said the court's inability to find against the prime minister might prompt a minimum of 50,000 people to lodge a petition with the Senate to investigate judicial misconduct.

Senator Nipon Visityutasat said the premier should have been found guilty under Article 295 of the charter.

"The article of the constitution governing assets concealment charges may be lifted for good because it could not deal with the premier's case."Political activist Pibhop Dhongchai said the prime minister should strive to emulate other countries and turn Thailand into an autocratic society with strong leadership.

"He could copy Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore or Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad. The chances were high considering his wealth, his ability to consolidate interest groups and his solid political power." If the premier decided to go down the autocratic road, the public's rights and freedoms would be at stake if money and power became dominating factors in society.

Mr Pibhop, also president of Campaign for Popular Democracy, said Mr Thaksin's victory indicated a general weakness in independent institutions.

He insisted the court's indecision raised doubts about its independence and urged grassroots agencies to empower themselves since these institutions were not reliable.

Mr Pibhop predicted business interests in Mr Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party would cause conflicts in the future.

He cited the premier's backing for inland prawn farming, which would benefit major conglomerates like CP Group.

Human rights violations were bound to follow.

He was concerned about how the premier handles such cases as the Thai-Malaysian gas pipeline project, two coal-fired power plants in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Klong Dan waste water treatment project in Samut Prakan, and the re-emergence of forest conflicts.

He urged the public to fight for the right to participate in formal politics.

The Campaign for Popular Democracy would set its stance on a constitutional amendment as it ends its annual meeting today.

It was unsure whether to push for the amendment or focus on organic laws and the establishment of independent bodies.

Mr Pibhop said it was unlikely the amendment would benefit the public if made when the government had a strong majority.