Nhiều kẻ thù của Thaksin được bổ nhiệm trong Thượng viện mới

Thaksin foes appointed in newly formed Senate

Puea Thai says process is 'undemocratic, unfair'

Bangkok Post

Published: 13/04/2011

Many of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's staunchest opponents were among 73 new members of the Senate announced by the Election Commission yesterday.

The senators were selected by a committee comprising representatives from the Constitution Court, the Election Commission (EC), the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the Supreme Court, the Ombudsman and the Supreme Administrative Court.

The 73 selected senators consist of 14 people nominated by academic organisations, 14 representatives of governmental organisations, 15 nominees from the private sector, 15 from professional organisations and 15 from other groups.

EC secretary-general Suthiphon Thaveechaiyagarn said the selection of the senators represented different parties and were based on the participation of men, women and the underprivileged.

Of the 73 selected senators, 31 were former senators and 23 of them came from a faction of 40 senators opposed to Thaksin, such as Thasana Boonthong, a former deputy Senate Speaker, Somchai Sawaengkarn and Khamnoon Sithisamarn.

The selection also includes Gen Somjet Boonthanom, former chief of the secretariat of the Council for National Security that toppled the Thaksin government in the Sept 19, 2006 coup; Adm Sathiraphan Keyanont, deputy head of the coup-making council; and Sak Korsaengruang, former member of the disbanded Asset Scrutiny Committee (ASC) that the coup council formed to investigate allegations of corruption by the Thaksin government.

Many well-known figures failed to make it to the final list. They include Nam Yimyaem, former ASC chairman; Udom Fuangfung, another former ASC member; Pol Gen Noppadol Somboonsap, former director-general of the Department of Special Investigation; former Bang Chak chief Sophon Suphapong, child rights activist Wallop Tangkhananurak; former senator Imron Maluleem; former senator Ruengkrai Leekitwattana; former appointed senator Gen Lertrat Ratanawanit; and former member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission Krirkiat Pipatseritham.

Mr Khamnoon and Mr Somchai denied that some seats of selected senators had been reserved for certain people. They said the selection committee comprised representatives of constitutional organisations and the committee members "had their dignity and could not be influenced".

However, a source at the Senate insisted that some senatorial seats had been reserved for people with close connections to key politicians, including those from the coalition Bhumjaithai Party and even the opposition Puea Thai Party.

Puea Thai's predecessor, the Thai Rak Thai Party, had many people appointed as members of independent organisations and these people were involved in this selection of senators.

Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit commented yesterday that the selection reflected attempts to prolong power. He referred to the selection of Gen Somjet, Mr Sak, Mr Somchai and Mr Khamnoon. He said that the selection by a panel of only six or seven members was undemocratic.

Mr Prompong also said that selected senators were inefficient and did not represent people like elected senators. He called for the Senate to be formed completely with elected senators in the future.

Under Section 111 of the 2007 constitution, the Senate consists of 150 members. They comprise 76 elected senators, while the rest are selected. Their term is six years and those who serve the full term are prohibited from a back-to-back return to their seat.

To prevent complications, Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondej will remain in office until the next Senate Speaker is elected. As he was an appointed senator, another senator will take his place later.

Deputy Senate Speaker Nikhom Wairatpanich, who acts as the Senate Speaker, said he convened the next session of the Senate for Monday, when it would consider three amended organic laws relating to election, other important bills and criteria for the establishment of 22 Senate committees.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/231714/thaksin-foes-appointed-in-newly-formed-senate