AFTER Pheu Thai Party did a U-turn on amending ethics clauses of the constitution former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn pointed to four reasons for abruptly backing down, Naewna newspaper said today (Sep. 25).
A post at the Parliament’s website said the People’s Party had yesterday submitted a draft to amend 10 clauses of the constitution with one of them focusing on qualifications of politicians and their ethical standards.
In a Facebook post Somchai explained that backing down on amending the charter’s ethics clauses is akin to Pheu Thai driving a vehicle to the entrance of an alley then suddenly U-turning leading the passenger, People’s Party, at a loss for words.
The four reasons he gave for this dramatic backing off are as follow:
1) People’s Party did not agree with amending the ethics clauses and were just throwing stones to test the waters but were hit with bricks – being accused of doing so for their own camp’s benefit.
2) Pheu Thai’s coalition partners want to look good and can see that it would be difficult to move ahead amid opposing social trends. One by one they gradually stated their opposition to amending ethics clauses and among those who have done so are Bhumjaithai Party, Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party and Democrat Party.
3) It is difficult to get this approved by Parliament as it needs yea votes from more than half of the lawmakers. This means getting one-third of the votes from a total of 200 senators with more than half being informally dubbed “Blue Senators” for being more or less allegedly associated with or influenced by Bhumjaithai which is de facto led by Newin Chidchob.
4) There is not enough time to carry this through. If a referendum on the charter amendment is to be held early February next year in conjunction with provincial administration organisation elections Parliament must pass three readings by Oct. 30 this year as the law requires that 60 days must pass from approval to the referendum day.
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Top and Front Page: Former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn. Photos: Thai Rath
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