Crisis panel: Polls support but not Thaksin

Proposed crisis panel would intervene in political crisis before it leads to violence, taking over executive & legislative powers. This has led to criticism that the military junta is attempting to hold on to power.

The very large draft constitution being presented to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA)

CONSTITUTION

Deputy PM defends crisis panel as temporary

Poll shows 64% support committee
17/08/2015
Patsara Jikkham

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has sent a clear signal on the draft charter, urging his supporters to reject it (Read full story here).

Meanwhile, a proposed "crisis panel" under in the draft charter that would "intervene in a political crisis before it leads to violence" has become a key focus point of debate.

The so-called crisis panel for solving national problems may not be in line with democratic principles but is intended to be a temporary measure, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.

The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) proposed a clause in the provisional chapter that will create a committee on reform and reconciliation strategy, also known as a crisis panel, to remain in place for five years after the charter is promulgated.

CRISIS INTERVENTION TO PREVENT VIOLENCE

The crisis panel would be able to intervene in a political crisis before it leads to violence, and can take over both executive branch and legislative branch powers from the government and parliament. This has led to criticism that the military junta is attempting to hold on to power.

Mr Wissanu said the panel would be a temporary measure during the transition to elections. "It is incorporated in the provisional chapter, so it is temporary and would be needed during the transition," he said. "If that is the case, [that means] there is a pressing need for us to step away from the principles of democracy. But it won't be a permanent measure."

Under the CDC's proposal, the crisis panel will only be able to exercise power when the government and existing laws fail to solve problems, such as the events leading to the May 22 coup. In times of peace it aims to guide the country towards reform and reconciliation, and away from any conflict, the proposal said.

Mr Wissanu said the provisional chapter may contain other extraordinary measures to deal with special circumstances during the transitional period...

CRITICISM BY POLITICIANS

Pheu Thai Party criticised these "unusual proposals" in the draft charter - including the crisis panel and a proposed referendum question asking Thais if they want a government of national reconciliation to take office.

He said the controversial proposals, which are seen by some as a means to keep the military junta in power, were also causing public confusion.

POPULAR IN POLLS

However, most people agree with proposals for a crisis panel and a national government for reconciliation, according to an opinion poll conducted by the National Institute for Development Administration (Nida) in which 63.93% agreed with the crisis panel, saying that they wanted to see reconciliation, and that an independent organisation with more decisive power than the government was needed. The 25% who disagreed said it would duplicate the government's work, while the remaining 11% had no comment.

On the proposed referendum question for a government of national conciliation to take office for four years after the new charter is promulgated, 75.8% were in favour, saying the matter should be decided by the people. The 19% who disagreed said the issue was still unclear and the referendum could be used only to legitimise the perpetuation of power, while the remaining 5.17% had no comment.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/657440/wissanu-defends-crisis-panel-as-temporary

สามารถฝึกอ่านออกเสียงและดูคำแปลได้ที่ : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/learning-from-news/658528/crisis-panel-polls-support-but-not-thaksin