By Thai Newsroom Reporters
CERTAIN PARTIES HAVE BEEN covertly attempting to mastermind the control of some newly-elected senators whilst others may already have been submissive to them now that the naming of a Senate speaker is approaching, according to Senator Premsak Piayura.
The senator from Khon Kaen today (July 19) alleged the unidentified parties of clandestinely attempting to manipulate the naming of a Senate speaker and deputy Senate speakers among some senators who could probably be more or less influenced whilst others may already have been swayed by those political camps, albeit in very discreet fashion.
Without naming names, Premsak said all 200 senators are legally obliged to be practically, invariably free of partisan influence when it comes to the deliberation of legislations being passed from the House of Representatives and particularly the naming of a Senate speaker and deputy Senate speakers scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday.
Some of the newly-elected senators may have been utterly influenced to the extent that they become like-minded legislators, aligning themselves to those parties, expressing no doubts about whatever they may be doing, according to the outspoken senator.
For instance, Premsak said, the senior lawmakers need not spontaneously concur with a majority of MPs who have recently approved a 122 billion baht supplementary budget to partly finance the Pheu Thai-initiated, populist digital wallet project.
He said many of his colleagues could probably be manipulated to cast bloc votes for the top posts of the Senate at the whims of the unidentified parties.
The core coalition partner Pheu Thai under de facto party boss Thaksin Shinawatra and the second largest coalition partner Bhumjaithai under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob have been earlier alleged of covertly attempting to bring as many senators as possible under their umbrella, however.
Newin’s camp is alleged to have managed to put as many as 120 senators under control, especially those who come from Isarn provinces around Buriram, the biggest Bhumjaithai stronghold.
The senators are not only dutifully obliged to scrutinise legislations passed from the MPs but to name members of “independent” agencies such as those of the Election Commission, National Anti-Corruption Commission and Constitutional Court.
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Senator Premsak Piayura. Photos: Thai Rath
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