NRC vote incurs Prayut's wrath

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday lambasted the National Reform Council (NRC) for voting against the Cabinet’s policy to proceed with the 21st round of petroleum concession bidding, a source said yesterday.

The atmosphere was “tense” during the second meeting of the five core agencies at the Royal Thai Army Club, which reporters were not allowed to observe.

Key representatives such as chiefs, deputies and spokesmen from the National Legislative Assembly, the NRC, the National Council for Peace and Order, the Cabinet, and the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) held their second meeting since the formation of the five agencies.

Prayut pulled no punches in his attack on the NRC, accusing the assembly of pressuring the Cabinet by voting against the government’s policy on petroleum concession. 

“Do not use the NRC decision to pressure the government. Our goal is to reform and move forward. Do not put the pressure on one another,’’ he said.

NRC president Thienchay Kiranandana defended the council and said members voted on the issue to reflect their stance against the 21st round of petroleum concession bidding.

The NRC voted in January 130:79 against the government’s proposal to continue the bidding. NRC members who had earlier voiced their opposition to the fuel concession said the issue was related to the country’s energy reform and giving out a 21st round of bid concessions would tie the country to that for the next 29 to 39 years. 

Prayut continued his criticism against the CDC for its decision to merge the Office of the Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Commission. “The PM said the decision has caused public opposition. He wanted the core agencies to focus on issues that move the country forward and not to tackle hot issues,’’ the source said.

The PM also accused the NLA of lacking in vision. “You have to look ahead and quickly issue laws that bridge our disparities and reform our justice system,” he said.

He recommended that the assembly issue laws especially in connection with economic and security issues that help prepare the country for fast-changing global situations and financial volatility. 

“We have to be able to catch up with globalisation trends. The NLA must make its own initiatives in terms of legislation and not wait for the Cabinet,’’ the source quoted Prayut as saying.

The NLA representative reportedly lauded the assembly’s ability to meet its plan in passing laws.

During the three-hour meeting, Prayut also instructed the five core agencies to help create understanding in the international community of the country’s roadmap to democracy. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said the roadmap to democracy was on schedule and the meeting discussed how to make sure sustainable democracy was enshrined in the new charter.

Prayut had called the meeting to ensure the five agencies were walking in the same direction with co-ordination and efficiency. The first meeting was held in November last year.

Thienchay told the council that a whip committee would be appointed to coordinate the five core agencies, whip spokesman Wanchai Sonsiri said.

The whip committee would meet every second and last Wednesday of the month with the first meeting scheduled for February 11.