Upper House enters a new era with Nikom as Senate Speaker

Chachoengsao Senator Nikom Wairatpanich’s election as Senate Speaker yesterday – the first time an elected member has won that post in the Upper House – is a development that could mean big changes for appointed senators in the future.

The Senate was once accused of being there largely for the benefit of the 2006 coup-makers, as about half its members were appointed and thus seen as a tool to be used against the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. 

But with an elected senator voted into the Speaker’s post, it will be interesting to see if the balance of power in the Senate does shift.

Although it is not clear whether previous Senate Speaker Thiradet Meepien actually favoured the Democrats, he did not lean to the Pheu Thai side. Meanwhile, Nikom is known to have a close relationship with the government.

An appointed senator, who asked not to be named, commented on a possible change in the make-up and direction of the Senate under Nikom.

The Senate Speaker is the agenda-setter of the upper chamber, and can push, drop, expedite or delay an issue to be considered by the Senate. During a meeting, the Speaker can also decide which senators are allowed to speak, the source said. 

Looking to the longer run, the make-up and direction of the Senate could change, depending on the outcome of constitutional amendments. 

The idea of pushing for the Senate to made up solely of elected members has been floated for some time, along with the idea to “unlock” politicians by lifting the two-year ban on an outgoing senator from taking up a ministerial or political position, the source said.

Such moves were backed by government MPs when they spoke in support of changes to the charter.

Moreover, the current six-year terms of elected and appointed senators end in different years, 2014 for the former and 2017 for the latter. 

Should the requirement to have appointed senators be scrapped, the term of the current elected senators could be extended to end at the same time, that is, in 2017, the source said. 

But, the Senate was not clearly split into two sides, the source said, as the stance taken by each individual or group of senators depended on each issue in focus. 

For example, in the impeachment of Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban, which will take place in the near future, it may not be easy for his detractors to obtain the required three-fifths majority, or almost 90 votes, to impeach him. 

In yesterday’s poll, Nikom’s 77 votes were not that far ahead of his rival Pichet Sunthornpipit, who had 69 supporters. The Senate has not yet set a date to vote on who will replace Nikom as Deputy Senate Speaker. 

Yesterday’s voting started in an atmosphere of distrust. It took some time to discuss a proposal by some senators that mobile phones should be banned during the process on the grounds this would prevent photographs being taken of ballot cards, so that support could be claimed to have been given to a particular candidate. 

Many senators opposed the idea, saying they should be able to trust each other. Following his victory, some senators warned Nikom to be neutral during his work as Speaker.

Nikom told the Senate he had always been, and would continue to be, a man of principle.

“After this [election], I will strictly follow the regulations. During parliamentary debates, many of you have seen that I am neutral. Sometimes my comments have been seen as supporting the government, so some people might see me as having biased intentions. However, I insist that I will not be affected by political pressure. I will stick to the principles of good governance and the rule of law,” he said.

It remains to be seen how Nikom will perform in his new role, and what direction the Senate will now take.

 

What senators say about chamber under Nikom

 

Pichaet Sunthornpipit, appointed senator and finalist speaker candidate:

“I believe Nikom will be a good Senate speaker because he is a straightforward person. However, he must do as he vowed during his presentation and remain neutral while doing his job. That's an obligation he must follow.”

Sunan Singsomboon, appointed senator and first-round speaker candidate:

“Nikom is a capable person. Therefore, I believe he will be a good Senate speaker and will control the Senate meetings. He is experienced and he knows the meeting regulations well. I think it is suitable that Nikom has become the Senate speaker. Regarding worries that Nikom might be interfered with by politicians, I believe a person at that level has good judgement and will not allow such interference.” 

Singchai Thungthong, senator from Uthai Thani:

“Now that we have Nikom as the Senate speaker, I believe the elected senators will be able to work more easily. Moreover, when senators voted for Nikom as the representative of elected senators, it shows the public an example of reconciliation. Appointed senators are sending signals that they will yield to elected senators. This will be good for the government too. Elected senators are linked with the people and the government also comes from the people.”

Jate Siratharanon, appointed senator:

“I believe the Senate will be better in general if Nikom adjusts his working style, which has been criticised as being biased. If Nikom does his job like he did when he was the first deputy Senate speaker, I believe he will be questioned by senators. Moreover, the Senate speaker must act as the Parliament vice president. If Nikom does not adjust, the opposition will scrutinise him.”