Three visions for the Senate
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Speaker candidates say Parliament's upper house must rise above politics to mend the country's rifts.
PICHAET SUNTHORNPIPIT
The Senate should be politically impartial and not become part of the country’s political problems, says Pichaet, a former deputy permanent secretary of the PM’s Office. He has vowed to make the Senate a respected institution that has the trust of society and earnestly scrutinises the government.
The Senate should also be close to the people, he says. And it was important to raise the profile of the Senate in light of the increasing Asean integration.
In regard to the reconciliation bill, Pichaet said Thai society is deeply divided and politics is to blame. Dialogue and consensus were needed before the bill could be supported, he said.
Pichaet said he is personally willing to support the bill although many people still don’t know all the details about it. However, any moves to end the rift must be done with public participation.
NIKHOM WAIRATPANICH
It’s the Senate’s duty to scrutinise proposed legislation as well as the government’s administration and to consider possible impeachment of politicians, ministers and other political officeholders. Virtue and experience are thus necessary and the Senate must be answerable to the public, says Nikhom, who is the Senate’s deputy speaker.
The Senate must also acknowledge the rifts between appointed and elected senators and the speaker must be someone who can work with both sides to create unity.
As for the reconciliation bill, Nikhom said passing the bill was only possible if society is forgiving. It would not occur as long as there were rifts and parties feeling they are being treated unjustly. The bill alone cannot solve all the divisions – a common understanding had to be forged, with everyone being treated equally.
KECHA SAKSOMBOON
The Senate speaker must be a leader without bias, says Kecha, an elected senator from Ratchaburi. The speaker must also treat other senators with respect and be willing to listen to other voices, both minority and majority, for the benefit of the Senate and the country.
All regulations must also be abided by and the Senate must coordinate its work with all sectors.
For the reconciliation bill, dialogue was needed to mend the political divide and the Senate could serve as a platform for that purpose. Once there is constructive dialogue, Kecha said he believed people would find it easier to reconcile. He also thought it inappropriate to criticise the bill while it is being considered by Parliament.
