Why is no one else talking about working towards a new 'peoples' constitution as a way to resolve the crisis?
The the junta imposed their own constitution (to overcome perceived and actual deficiencies of the 1997 version), now the PPP want to impose their own amendments.
If the government truly wanted to move forward (instead of just victory), they would be trying to open up the constitution amendments to a consultative process.
Let the political parties have their say, all the pressure groups (including the PAD) can make submissions, and if consensus cannot be reached on some contentious items, let the people decide via a referendum.
The government should not give in to the PAD, but they also have a responsibility to try to move the country forward.
By agreeing to such a process the government would not be giving in to mob rule, but they would be giving the PAD an incentive to go home (and if they don't go the government gets sufficient justification to make them go).
They would also be helping to rebuild the country, and making it much harder for future coups & more imposed constitutions.
(and at the end of the day they just might get the constitution they want and need, anyway)
UPDATE 2:
Samak stood down over Cooking Show.
A sensible Samak/PPP/Coalition (wishful thinking!) would use this constitutional court case as an example of why the 2007 constitution is flawed.
They could then open up the constitution amendment process to consultation as a way of diffusing the current standoff.
For all those supporting Samaks re-appointment, please consider what it says about PPP and it’s coalition partners if they reappoint as PM a person who has been stood down in these circumstances (including possible covering up evidence?) and such person is also subject to further court actions.Are they worried people will run out of reasons to protest against them?
UPDATE 1:
Occasional Poster over at Bangkok Pundit's site provides a good summary of the situation:
"I can only conclude that violence is what both sides want in a vicious power struggle to totally control Thailand inc. for their own utterly personal ends while throwing around some vague notions of democracy that none of them fully support."
3 comments:
nganadeeleg
I suggest that you get over this taksin love/hate thing
in any reasonable society its the law that should be used to try and
convict people not some ego driven lynch mob or even individuals
yes, I think you are driven by ego... leads to jealousy
in other democracies, eg Australia, there are plenty of people that
avoid tax, especially the rich, they employ lots of lawyers to find
loopholes and they control the media and lobby politicians, so the tax
department has a really hard time getting after them....
so, when we think about it we dont like these people but on the other
hand the best we can do is lobby our MPs and vote for those that we
think are more likely to go for equality of opportunity in society...
and we never think of changing the law and going after them
retrospectively!!!!
because that sort of treatment of the law might catch us or our friends
one day... its a path to anarchy... hmmm reminds me of Thailand...
so, if you think taksin broke the law when he did his acts then
he should be charged, under the law as it was then!
even if he was smart enough to change the law and then do the act...
then sorry, all you can do is accept and try to fix things in future...
dont let your blind jealousy cloud your judgement!
David: Thanks for the comment, but what does it have to do with my post about using a new round of consultation on getting a new peoples constitution as a way to diffuse the crisis?
"...in any reasonable society its the law that should be used to try and convict people..."
I agree, but unfortunately Thaksin has demonstrated that only respects the law when it helps him, or when he can use it to intimidate others.
also, can you clarify what you mean by "changing the law and going after them retrospectively!!!!"
Is this David Brown who often posts in the New Mandalay, and occasionally in Prachathai English? If it is him, all I can say is that he is truly a staunch supporter of Taksin, and it seems his only rationale for posting is to defend Taksin.
Joy
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