Cabinet sets charter rewrite draft in motion

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Cabinet sets charter rewrite draft in motion

PM says move 'mainly in the public interest'

Published: 14/02/2012 at 04:17 AM
Newspaper section: News

The draft amendment of Section 291 of the 2007 constitution received the green light from the cabinet yesterday, marking the first step in the highly controversial rewriting of the charter.

The amendment of Section 291 is intended to pave the way for the establishment of a new Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA), which will change the 2007 constitution. The rewrite will be completed within 240 days of the CDA being set up.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday promised the amendment process would be transparent and that it would not favour her elder brother, ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

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: Writer: Pradit Ruangdit; Position: Reporter

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englishjon
Post : 109
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Discussion 8 : 14/02/2012 at 06:11 PM8
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Thaksin WILL use his influence to get the amendments he wants.

He WILL orchestrate the nullification of the charges against him.

He WILL return to Thailand and go back into politics.

He WILL take revenge on those who crossed him and reward those who helped get him back.

He WILL carry on where he left off and start refilling his coffers.

All of this is certain unless something happens to prevent it.

I sense dark clouds gathering on the horizon.
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Renaissance
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Discussion 7 : 14/02/2012 at 04:59 PM7
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The process being set in motion is a bit like a weather forecast in which the weather forecaster says that there is a tropical storm in the Pacific, which is picking up strength and will hit land in a number of days. You know it's coming and you know what damage and destruction it will cause. It's fairly obvious what is going to happen during the rest of the year.
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dao
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Discussion 6 : 14/02/2012 at 01:30 PM6
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Its OK to break the law in Thailand you just have to make sure you can win an election and change to the constitution to get off on the charges .
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bikeme
Post : 417
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Discussion 5 : 14/02/2012 at 11:08 AM5
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Based on the qualifications used for appointing ministerial positions, how can we expect any of the PTP's CDA appointees to be "experts" ?? The 22 experts for the CDA should be chosen by their peers, not the political party in charge.

The writing of Thailand's multiple constitutions has been dominated by self-serving individuals and as such none have withstood the test of time. This newest attempt dominated by the one party system is doomed to go down that exact same path.
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coolit
Post : 70
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Discussion 4 : 14/02/2012 at 10:50 AM4
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Here it comes !!!
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Asian Hand
Post : 252
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Discussion 3 : 14/02/2012 at 09:47 AM3
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What will be the version number of this to be new constitution - I have lost count?
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bkksim
Post : 189
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Discussion 2 : 14/02/2012 at 08:49 AM2
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I feel a white wash coming But the colour will be red rather than white.
It is going to be the same as before when tacksin was in power.
He proposes something his team have the most votes and it gets passed through.
But remember is you are in the taxin camp don't think for yourself.
this will cast you your seat.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday promised the amendment process would be transparent and that it would not favour her elder brother, ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra

If this is the case why does she have to say this on a daily basis???
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pquinlan
Post : 291
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Discussion 1 : 14/02/2012 at 07:25 AM1
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No consultation of the public, just election of the same old cronies of all colours.

No provision for submissions by constitutional experts other than those deemed acceptable and hand picked.

No revisiting of structural governance issues, eg look at federal model which would drive decentralisation and provide a degree of self government for all regions, direct election of provincial governors and governments. (And if anyone believes it will not be designed to benefit anyone in particular, then contact me as I would like to sell Rama X bridge to you!)

Yes it will be voted upon, same as the last constitutional referendum, and everyone is so pleased with that outcome (aren't they?), but where is the commitment to widespread community engagement and education before being presented with something which most will never understand let alone even read.

What a sad and amateur way for any country to go about amending its Constitution. It is destined to fail to provide real or lasting change of benefit to the government's own self-professed constituency, ie the poor buggers at the bottom of the heap in this feudal country.
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Cabinet sets charter rewrite draft in motion | Bangkok Post: news