Prayut not barred from 'crisis' panel
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THERE are no rules in the new constitution that prevent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from becoming part of a commission that will have the power to suggest solutions in times of political crisis, a spokesman for the Constitution Drafting Committee sai
Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said that the transitional clauses would specify further details about this matter as well as set out the authority and scope of the National Strategic Reform and Reconciliation Commission (NSRRC).
“The constitution drafters would prefer to see office holders from the post-election government on the commission. But the existing rules do not prevent General Prayut from joining it,” Kamnoon said.
Critics allege that the proposed NSRRC is an attempt by the powers that be to maintain their power over elected governments. The panel’s term will be five years, which covers the entire tenure of the next administration as well as a part of the term of the succeeding one.
Kamnoon said that the NSRRC would aim to prevent a repeat of the dangerous political deadlock experienced before the coup in May last year.
He said the commission, which would have special powers under the new charter, could only stay formed longer than five years through a national referendum.
