An uninspiring year for lawmakers

The quote of the year was, “A House speaker’s ruling is final although whether it’s right or wrong is another matter”.

In their annual rite, reporters yesterday issued their lists of the exceptional events that marked legislative work for 2011 and the nicknames of key newsmakers.

August 24 ended in a lack of quorum on the final day of the policy debate, following a 40-minute cooling-off recess after tempers flared between the coalition and opposition. The policy debate came to an abrupt halt for the first time in legislative history.

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont delivered his famous remark in a rebuttal to Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva’s question on his judgement in allowing Pheu Thai MPs to make inappropriate comments on the monarchy.

Nickname for the House: Shell for Pu Daeng (red crab)
The Pheu Thai Party has often invoked its majority to shield Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose nickname is Pu, from verbal attack. The main coalition party also has some 20 MPs from the red-shirt movement, so many see the party as a protective red carapace for Pu.

Nickname for the Senate: Sangkhaloke (antique chinaware)
The Senate’s job performance has been lacklustre, making it look like a valuable antique without a practical use.

Nickname for House Speaker Somsak: Fake gavel from Dubai
Somsak used to be known as a gavel master for his effective control over the House in 1997. But this year’s job performance has been questioned. He also admitted to meeting former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in Dubai before receiving his appointment.

Nickname for Senate Speaker Teeradej Meepien: Evasive general
Teeradej, a retired general, is well known for ducking questions on hot issues. His standard reply is either “I can’t remember” or “I have no involvement”.

Rising MP star: Democrat Rangsima Rodrasamee
Rangsima is consistently outspoken on issues related to the misconduct of her colleagues and the fair supervision of legislative meetings. She speaks her mind regardless of whether her party is in power or in the opposition.

Falling MP star: Yingluck Shinawatra
As prime minister and Pheu Thai MP, Yingluck has downplayed the importance of legislative work. She is known for skipping meetings and appears unwilling to promote cooperation between the coalition and the opposition.

Rivals of the Year: Democrat MP Attaporn Polaboot and Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan
The two have engaged in a war of words over issues like last year’s political disturbances and the role of former PM Thaksin.

Outstanding lawmaker: no nominations
The press corps decided to withhold the award due to the lack of qualified candidates.

Nickname of opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva: Delayed handsome
Abhisit freely offers suggestions for resolving pressing problems like political conflicts and flood management but Pheu Thai MPs retort that he should have implemented his ideas before he lost the general election. Despite his good looks, he acted too late. He should have translated his words into action when he was the prime minister.