Charter change will not prevent senators from having political connections

However, the most controversial amendment clause is the one that seeks to lift certain prohibitions and requirements about senator qualifications. This has fuelled suspicion that the latest amendment effort is aimed at benefiting senatorial candidates with political connections.

The post-coup Constitution of 2007 has some prohibitions aimed at preventing the Senate from being dominated by people close to politicians in power. Before the coup of September 2006, according to critics, the upper house was dominated by people with strong political links. In the current charter, a senatorial candidate must not be:

_ A descendant, a spouse or a son or daughter of an MP or a political office holder; any person holding a political position;

_ A member or a holder of any position in a political party, or having his/her membership or office terminated for not more than five years;

_ An incumbent MP or a former MP with House membership having been terminated for not more than five years;

_ A Cabinet member or a former political office holder having vacated such office for not more than five years.

All of those prohibitions, aimed at making the Senate free from political interference, will be gone if the constitutional amendment passes Parliament.The country’s first entirely elected Senate of 2000, which had 200 members, was divided into two main groups – one favouring the then ruling Thai Rak Thai Party and the other siding with the opposition Democrat Party. Many senators from that upper house became members of those political parties after completing their six-year term. Among those close to Thai Rak Thai and its leader and ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra were Srimuang Chaorensiri, Suchon Chaleekrua, Kamnuan Chalopa-thump, Prakiat Nasimma, Ros Maliphol, Wirun Fuensaen, and Rabiabrat Pongpanich. Some now work for the ruling Pheu Thai Party, which is believed to have Thaksin as its patriarch.

Among then-senators critical of Thaksin’s government were Manoonkrit Roobkajorn, Kaewsan Atibodhi, Chirmsak Pinthong, Somboon Thongburan, Maleerat Kaewka, Kraisak Choonhavan, Nipon Visityuthasart, Jaroon Yungprapakorn, Boonlert Pairin, Pichet Pattanachot, and Sompong Srakawi.

Some were close to the Democrat Party and even joined the party.

The post-coup Senate has 76 elected senators – one from every province – and 74 appointed senators chosen by a selection committee. 

Both groups have political connections. They are relatives or family members of politicians, or have close ties with them.

As it has turned out, however the senatorial qualifications are set, people with political connections have managed to make their way into the Senate – in many cases, with the help of politician-relatives, family members or friends.