Senators want debate on rice pledging

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Senators want debate on rice pledging

Published: 8 Oct 2012 at 16.46
Online news: Politics

Eighty-one senators have submitted a motion to Senate Speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich seeking a general debate without a vote on the government's rice pledging scheme under Section 161 of the constitution.

Paithoon Nitiwan, an appointed senator and core member of the Group of 40, said the cabinet had approved a total budget of 405 billion baht for the rice-pledging scheme during the 2012-2013 harvest.

The last approval on Oct 4 allows the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) to additionally seek loans of 105 billion baht to 120 billion baht from state and private financial institutions, guaranteed by the Finance Ministry.

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sunshine51
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Discussion 8 : 10 Oct 2012 at 08.438
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ringmaster disc. 6, using your logic all party list MPs should not be allowed to vote in Parliament as they are just a bunch of names thrown in by the parties concerned. The people did not choose them right??
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whatajoke
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Discussion 7 : 10 Oct 2012 at 07.467
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D6: In most bicarmeral systems the senators are not represented per constituency, that's the whole point. The General House has proportional representation and get to do the law making and amending, they vote for a leader who appoints a govt who then sets policy. The Senate is there to keep an eye on them, they have limited powers to check the govt (but not effect policy) letting the same people choose the leader and the auditor is disingenuous. Many successful countries have Senates that are not directly elected (House of Lords being an example), what is key here is the voting patterns, and so far I've not seen any evidence among critics that these unelected Senators vote as a group and always against the govt, whereas in the previous administrations the Senate became a very obvious rubber stamp for the Prime Minister. I'd say the present Senate works better, one-man-one-vote isn't the holy grail of Democracy, not everyone is equally qualified to make a good decision about appointing leadership, imagine letting the vast masses choose the Supreme Court judges!
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ringmaster
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Discussion 6 : 10 Oct 2012 at 01.266
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Debate is good - even with non-elected Senators. Non-elected Senators just shouldn't be allowed to vote in the Senate. Who are their constituency? Who do they serve? Who are they responsible to?

Every single Thai should have an equal say in how their country is run. Every single Thai should be equally represented. But when half the Senate is comprised of people selected by a bevy of judges and bureaucrats then the true will of the people is compromised.
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bula
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Discussion 5 : 09 Oct 2012 at 09.225
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Good idea. I hope it will be telecast as well.
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whatajoke
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Discussion 4 : 09 Oct 2012 at 07.294
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A debate in the Joint House would be a very good idea, if anything to let Puea Thai justify the scheme and explain to us all, with supporting data, contracts etc, that they have indeed sold this rice, and that the accusations of fraud are false or petty. But wait! What's that I hear? Oh, half the senate is not democratically elected and therefore this challenge is invalid. Well you could argue that the 'group of 40' is still in minority among 81 Senators, democracy no?
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DONHUAN
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Discussion 3 : 08 Oct 2012 at 20.573
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This is an exercise in futility as this issue has been decided by the “Man from Yonder. Since many people connected to the rice pledging will ostensibly benefit from the program, any hints of a major change will surely pit these rice people against those opposing the rice pledging scheme. Further more; it’s a program that will take for 4 years or more to accomplish its stated objectives. Only time will tell whether this will turned out to be another “honest” mistake or a resounding success story to brag about in the next election.
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bluebkk
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Discussion 2 : 08 Oct 2012 at 17.442
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Noble intention from these senators but they should realize this PT/UDd government practices dictatorship under the camouflage of democracy...Once the great fugitive has found another lucrative item he will never drop it...its called the ultimate greed at the expense of the whole country!!!
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englishbob
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Discussion 1 : 08 Oct 2012 at 17.141
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"...want to stage a general debate to voice opinions and provide suggestions for the government within this parliamentary session."

A debate? Opinions? Suggestions? Haven't they been watching the news since August 2011?
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Senators want debate on rice pledging | Bangkok Post: news