Amendments to the constitution

[prommee_NE]

FOSS,

What I do think is that without a Constitution...you have Anarchy...Is this what you are advocating?

I also think both links that I provided are worth a read.

[prommee_NE]

The fact that the 2007 Constitution retains Section 284 and 285 suggests to me that the writers have learnt something from the past and do understand the importance of decentralisation of government as a means to help the poor and remove the past dominance of the central government.

I don't agree with the means that it was passed, nor do I agree with the way in which Thaksin was ousted. I do however, think that he started to go against the 1997 Constitution with his CEO governor policies.

I think you should read this short paper, written in 1982 by Gerald Fry...I think it is quite informative on the arguments for and against decentralisation. It will also give you a better understanding of why the above Sections are so important, especially for the Isaan area.

http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/view/50/5000212.pdf

However, as you quite rightly say...words are nothing without their realisic implementation. Personally, I would like to see you run for local government elections in the Isaan area...You would get an idea of the problems associated with just running for an election and may be instrumental in the reforms that need to take place.

[Ian]

Prommee, I read the article you linked to, I was particularly interested in one comment. That it created disharmony in the village as villagers saw different choices/priorities for village projects.

I have witnessed this with my own eyes, the road in my village originally had fluorescent lights at intervals along the road these were all on one side and were installed and paid for from the village fund (50 Baht per month per house). An amphur initiative was to install modern high pressure discharge tubes, these were place on the other side of the road so that the old system could continue whilst the new was being fitted.

This is where the problem started. Starting at the top end lights were fitted to each alternate Electricity pole, it so happened that by this method one light ended up directly outside the house of the village boss Immediately shouts of corruption. Those who enjoyed illegal gambling objected because a bright light suddenly appeared over their card school.
Those on the otherside of the road objected to losing their old lights. It reached the point where a village meeting was held of all the people and the Boss got dismissed, but they could not agree on a replacement for him
Finally after 2 weeks of this the amphur boss came along and new elections were held, the boss was reinstated:-)
However, we now have a strange situation, the new light go on every night and at weekends the old lights go on as well, at weekends one can read a book outside. It took over a year for the tensions to die down in the village.

I wonder how Lalida would have handled this

[prommee_NE]

Ian,
Yes there are always problems, especially in the initial stages, but I hope you agree with the basic concepts. Remember that this paper was written some time ago, during the early stages of decentralisation.

fos,
I am sorry you didn't read the link...I thought you were interested in learning other peoples' views and how they arrived at them. Having complained about people within the government and their lack of listening to the people, I was hoping that you would at least take the time out to read it. Just remember my wife is from Isaan...25 years in Europe maybe, but our main residence is in Isaan. The paper was not written by someone from BKK criticising the rural population...far from it. How will you learn without reading?

[prommee_NE]

fos,

Firstly if you had actually read the paper (as I believe Ian did) instead of giving it a cursory glance, you would have realised that the Thai Government not only read it but were responsive to some of the criticisms. The paper was not intended as a panacea for all in Thailand..it was an account of the beginnings of democratic principles in Thailand. After this, of course, another coup took place. It took nearly 20 years to get back to this starting point...The logical outcome to your "I don't need to read...only follow reality" will be another 20 years, just to get back to the starting point.

I really think that you should take time out and read some of these articles and provide some constructive criticism to them.

[Veto]

Speaking of amendments and amnesty: What happened to one of our most vocal members? Should she get amnesty? Hope all OK.
Soul struggles thru incarnation after incarnation in the search for truth and spiritual freedom.

I like the poll today claiming Thai's think politicians ruining Thailand more than any other group.
No wonder quarantines happen when corruption is supported blindly. Thailand has no future until politicians are held accountable, and vote buying and crony corruption are abolished.

[Just-1-Voice2]

Greenshirt a/k/a Kant's Clone a/k/a/

You seem to have forgotten the multitude of laws oh-so-peaceful-law-abiding PAD broke and ignored during their so-called "peaceful demonstrations". Let's see:

1. Illegal occupation of Government House.
2. Refusing a court order to vacate Government House.
3. Breaking into Government House and stealing computers, hard drives and discs containing national security information.
4. Stealing personal property belonging to those who worked at Government House.
5. Using explosives to blow up cars.
6. Illegal occupation and takeover of an International Airport.
7. Running over and killing a police officer.
8. Attacking police at the airport and destroying their vehicles.
9. Taking a police officer prisoner, beating him and then releasing him 4 hours later.
10. Shooting at people in the street from the back of a truck, and doing so on national television.
11. Setting fire to motorbikes belonging to people who had nothing to do with them. (ditto on tv)
12. Beating a man in the street, on national television, who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. (ditto on tv)
13. Shooting at police and others during the airport takeover.
14. Shooting at a news van.
15. Illegal possession & use of firearms.
16. Illegal possession & use of explosives.

And this doesn't include them saying over and over that the "rural poor" are too uneducated and too stupid to vote, and wanting a Parliament that is 70% appointed by the Elite, with the other 30% being elected, but also by the Elite.

If THESE are you "heros", you probably have pictures of Stalin, Marx, Hitler and Mussolini plastered on the walls of your bedroom, and maybe a shrine to the Ayatollah as well.

[Chris-TH]

Talking about PAD. What happend to the 30 days that was granted to the PAD lawyers to study and possibly object to the charges in connection with the GH occupation? I did not read any news and the 30 days have passed for sure.

Anybody knows?

[Just-1-Voice2]

It joined the other "dirt" swept under the carpet.

[Chris-TH]

It joined the other "dirt" swept under the carpet.

Yeah J1V, it seems so. Here is a bit from a TN report dated Mar 31th:


In a related story, leaders of the PAD yesterday turned themselves in to police to face charges involving the seizure of Parliament on October 7 last year.


Twenty-one PAD leaders surrendered to police at the Royal Thai Police Club on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road. Forty-two police were deployed to question the suspects before pressing charges against them.

More than 2,000 PAD members turned up to give moral support to their leaders, causing heavy traffic congestion on adjacent roads. Hundreds of police kept tight security at the club.

Bangkok deputy police chief Pol Maj General Amnuay Nimmano said the 21 PAD leaders were charged with instigating unrest, obstructing police duties, and detaining state officials - in connection with the incident that led protesters to lay siege to Parliament on October 7.

He said the PAD leaders were questioned but refused to give statements. Their lawyers sought from the police 30 days to submit their statements, which police allowed.

Amnuay said all 21 suspects were fingerprinted after being presented with the three charges. They were released without having to post bail because they had not been arrested.