Former Democrat MP Attawich Suwanpakdee called on the NLA to withdraw the proposal, as it could delay the election even further. The national election is expected to be held between February and May next year.

The amendment the NLA is proposing aims to reverse the EC’s choice of provincial election inspectors. With new EC members awaiting royal endorsement, the NLA believes the choice of the provincial election inspectors should be left up to the new commissioners. This proposal came despite the tight election schedule.

Attawich, however, said the provincial election inspectors should be chosen by the incumbent EC. This way, he said, personnel will be in place to start selecting senators once the relevant organic law goes into effect next month.

The Constitution requires that senators be selected at least 15 days before the general election, the politician pointed out.

“However, the election cannot be held in February if the NLA insists on going ahead with the amendment,” he said. He was referring to the lengthy legislation procedure.

Worachai Hema from the Pheu Thai Party also wondered if the NLA was deliberately trying to delay the election.

He pointed out that the selection of election inspectors had been done as per regulations that were drafted and passed through by the NLA.

“This process has been going on for months, and suddenly, the NLA decides to scrap everything. I cannot look at it in any way other than it being a deliberate attempt to delay the elections,” Worachai said.

He added that elections had previously been delayed due to complications in certain legislation, hence he said, this could very well be a similar ploy.

Nikorn Chamnong, a veteran politician from Chart Thai Pattana Party, also said he was surprised that the NLA had decided to propose the amendment now.

The mechanism to scrutinise the election as well as the appointment of the inspectors had been designed after extensive discussions, so, he said, the NLA could face questions about its decision to seek an amendment to the very same regulation.

The Peace News Facebook page reports that the ex-premier, who was overthrown by a military coup in 2006, made a speech during his belated birthday party with his sister, fellow ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra.

The Shinawatra siblings, both living outside the kingdom to avoid facing what they call “unfair justice”, savoured a birthday cake together with their fans from Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party in a Hong Kong hotel, Peace News reported.

“The loss will only come in two cases: loss from death and loss from surrender,” Thaksin reportedly said at the celebration.

“We won’t lose as long as we fight. There is no war, only a battle. War will end when everything is over while the battle is about constant fighting,” he added.

The most important war is that for democracy, he said.

“I’m 69 years old already. I wish to see Thailand prosper again. Importantly, I wish to see dignity return to all Thai people. We used to live with equal dignity, rights and freedom under a democratic government.”

He also slammed “those who spontaneously grab arms to rule and suppress us”, referring to the military coups that ousted him and later Yingluck in 2014, and took over the administration.

“We can’t accept that. The election day will be when people judge whether my words are correct,” he added.

The government under two-time elected Thaksin from 2001 to 2006 was when Thailand saw various major policy changes.

It was also politically controversial for suspected patronage among Shinawatra networks, alleged heavy corruption as well as rights abuse in the drugs “war” and bloody raids in Thailand’s deep south.

Even so, Thaksin has remained politically popular even after he fled from the kingdom. Yingluck then won the general election in 2011.

Anutin is among a couple of hundred names enlisted in a one-year programme run by the National Defence College of Thailand under the Defence Mnistry. He will attend the college as “CEO of STP&I Public Company Limited”.

Ex-MP Yutthapong Jarassathien complained that Anutin, a top politician and a construction contractor with the current government, had a high profile already and his enrolment would endanger the principle of social equality.

It would go against PM Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s declaration that politicians should not enroll and thus be able to seek connections with civil servants and military officers, the ex-MP said.

“This double standard shouldn’t occur and we might suppose it is because Anutin once recruited thousands of supporters to cheer the premier,” he said, referring to Prayut’s field trip in Buri Ram in May, where he was greeted by tens of thousands of locals, as arranged by Anutin and local politician Newin Chidchob.

He also called for Prayut to investigate how Anutin got to enroll in the course.

THE RIGHT-LEANING Action Coalition of Thailand (ACT) party is showing signs of instability just days after unexpectedly voting for MR Chatumongkol Sonakul to lead it, while also hinting that changes are likely in the next four to five months.

Despite the vote last Sunday to elect its new leader, ACT member Prasarn Marukkapitak said the party is working to attract more members when the number grows over the next five months, votes would again be cast for a new executive.

Anek Laothamatas, 64, a high-profile academic who was heavily promoted to be leader in the two months since the party launched – but gave up his candidacy at the last moment on Sunday – remains a possible candidate, Prasarn said. But if someone new turned up before the reselection, it was also possible the party would see a completely new leader, he added.

“In the meantime, it doesn’t mean we’ll pursue some specific people. We don’t really have anyone in mind. This is never officially discussed in the executive board,” he said. “But personally, each individual may have a personal connection with someone they think is good for the job. But I don’t know.”

Suthep Thaugsuban, a former Democrat anti-Shinawatra campaigner and highly influential pro-coup figure has become ACT’s patriarch. He is, however, not being considered for the leadership role, said Prasarn.

“We can count [Suthep] out,” Prasarn said. “He’s just an ordinary member. He won’t be an MP or the leader. He just helps the overall campaign.”

The uncertainty over the party’s leadership has prompted questions about its competence, given supporters’ hopes that it would help the country’s right wing dominate Parliament after the next election. But some political observers are confident that ACT is internally intact and that Anek would resurface to lead it.

A veteran politician who asked not to be named told The Nation he believed this was just some sort of game being played.

“There’s something funny going on behind the scenes. But after all, it has to be Anek,” he said. “His mind is all made up. He wouldn’t have quit the reform panels he was heading if he hadn’t been sure about what he’s doing.”

The politician was referring to the junta-backed political reform committees that Anek vacated in preparation to run for the party leadership.

“These are all big positions and he left them all. So, he must do it for something bigger, right?” he explained. “Their move right now is just part of the strategy. They’re just playing this game. But in the end it will be Anek who leads the party.”

Critic Stithorn Thananithichot, a political scientist from King Prajadhipok’s Institute, agrees that Anek will return. The superficial change right now was a way to reduce any possible friction, he reasoned.

“We might see the old faces resurfacing again as candidates when they’re voting for the leader in the next five months,” he said. “This could be the break [Anek] needs. He can avoid confrontations and all the questions that do nothing but weaken and exhaust him before the time for the election comes.”

However, all the machinations and speculations do not really matter, the political scientist said.

“After all, everyone knows who’s really running this party – the de facto leader – and what it’s here for. The leader who’s there for the formality doesn’t matter all that much.”

But veteran political critic Sukhum Nualsakul begged to differ on the question of ACT leadership. Anek may really have been unattractive, and hence the change, he said.

“The past two months might have been a trial and maybe Anek is just not the one,” he said. “And he’s not new. He’s done this [running for election] before and failed.

“On the other hand, MR Chatumongkol Sonakul, who may be a little older, is so much more of a fresh energy in politics and he’s clean,” the critic added. Chatumongkol is 74 years old.

Sukhum does not think the change will lead ACT on a different course.

“Suthep has made it clear that ACT will be part of the government. That’s their direction,” the critic said.

“So, I’m not worried about their leader. I’m more worried about what they will do if they don’t get what they want.”

“They will have to consider regulations by the National Council for Peace and Order,” Prayut said at his weekly press briefing. “The NCPO already watches out, just in case. We won’t benefit anyone in particular.”

He was referring to tentative moves by the Action Coalition for Thailand Party, whose prominent co-founder Suthep Thaugsuban plans to make provincial tours to promote the party.

“Any parties’ trips have to be permitted beforehand. We’ll have to see how and where they go to speak. If they only speak in private places, that’s fine,” the PM added.

The NCPO froze all party activity, as well barring any political activities consisting of five or more people, soon after the May 2014 coup, which means the ban has now been in place for more than four years.

The junta has always insisted on the need to maintain order as the reason to legitimise prolonging the ban on political party activity, despite existing enforcement of the political party law.

Prayut said on Tuesday that more relaxations should be seen once the MP election law is also in place.

The draft law, which awaits royal endorsement, is far from being in effect as the junta-appointed legislators agreed to delay its effectiveness for another 90 days after its eventual publication in the Royal Gazette.

According to the Constitution, the election must be organised within five months of all four laws essential to the holding of a general election being in effect.

This makes Prayut’s earlier promise of a national poll in February seem unlikely to be fulfilled, as the MP election bill should have been published no later than June in order to keep up with the timeline.

He said the move was not an interference in the independent organisation or aimed at blocking the ongoing appointment of election inspectors by the outgoing EC members.

However, the chief drafter of the charter viewed the matter differently.

Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission, on Tuesday criticised the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) for “meddling” with the power of the current EC regarding the appointment of election inspectors.

The motion seeking an amendment to the EC law is supported by 35 members of the NLA. Supporters of the motion had maintained that the present EC should wait for their successors to carry out the appointment of election inspectors.

Election commissioners, however, argued that they needed to start the selection and appointment process in time for the next general election.

General Prayut said on Tuesday that he thought the NLA move was aimed at allowing the current EC members and their successors to cooperate in selecting election inspectors.

“I didn’t see any attempt to block anything. And there has been no interference in any independent organisation,” he said.

Prayut, who also heads the ruling junta National Council for Peace and Order, called for respect for the new set of EC members who are going to replace the current office holders soon.

“We have to let these two groups of people discuss between them what should be done,” he added.

The NLA recently endorsed five out of seven EC members nominated.

The five newly endorsed election commissioners last week elected their president, but their appointment requires royal endorsement before they can start performing their duties.

Meechai said on Tuesday that the current EC had started appointing provincial election inspectors in line with its power stated in the EC law.

He noted that this organic law for the new Constitution had been “revised the most” by the NLA from the original version drafted by his panel.

The chief charter-writer said the legislation’s intent was for election inspectors to assist the EC in ensuring that elections are held in accordance with the electoral law.

Meechai said the current EC had begun the selection process in order to get election inspectors in place in time for the next election.

He added that the new EC may revise or review some appointments as its members see fit.

“I don’t think there is a need for law amendments,” he said.

Election inspectors, for every one of the provinces, have the main duty of checking for possible violations of the electoral law, warning officials failing to follow the rules, and reporting to the EC about law violations and acts that prevent a free and fair election.

The EC has announced a list of 616 election inspectors selected for all 77 provinces.

The agency’s secretary-general, Jarungvith Phumma, said on Tuesday that no formal appointments had been made as the selected inspectors first needed to undergo background checks.

The final list of appointed inspectors will be announced early next month, he added.

Academic-turned-politician Anek Laothamatas, who had been tipped for the post, withdrew his candidacy, citing his own preference for the royalist former banker.

Thaweesak Na Takuathung, a lawyer for party co-founder Suthep Thaugsuban, was chosen as its secretary general.

Suthep explained that Sunday’s meeting was convened to select executive members in accordance with the law on political parties.

The executive could not be elected during the party’s congress due to legal and time limitations, he said.

Born in 1943 to a family descended from King Rama V, Chatumongkol was governor of the Bank of Thailand from 1998-2001.

He served as permanent secretary of the Finance Ministry from 1995-1997.

ACT is an outcropping of the anti-Shinawatra movement whose street protests against the Yingluck Shinawatra government are widely seen as fomenting the military coup of May 2014.

ACT is regarded as a pro-junta party that could potentially support General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the current premier, to remain in the post after next year’s election.

“The author misunderstood and wrote the article to attack Thai leader [Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha] without considering the reality,” Don told reporters in Singapore, where he attended the annual Asean ministerial meeting.

Thailand is scheduled to take up the chairmanship of the regional grouping next year. The Jakarta Post columnist, Kornelius Purpa, wrote an article last week calling on Asean to deny Thai junta chief Prayut the chance to chair the grouping.

“The Thai junta does not deserve the position amid strong waves of democratisation in this region,” the article says.

“We just witnessed how Malaysians responded to a corrupt leader. Myanmar is also undergoing a major transformation of democracy, although de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has not been able to fully control the country. The Philippines and Indonesia belong to a club of democratic nations despite domestic problems,” according to the columnist.

Don said being the chairman of Asean is not a personal matter, but one involving the country. Thailand as a country has to take the position in national and regional interest.

Thailand under the leadership of Prime Minister Prayut over the past four years has contributed and pushed forward many Asean projects and tasks, he said.

Prayut took power after staging a coup to topple the elected civilian government of Yingluck Shinawatra in May 2014.

While the international community strongly criticised the Thai junta for suppression of democracy and human rights, Don said the government provided good cooperation to the international community to solve many problems such as human trafficking and illegal fishery.

Thailand plans to have an election next year and Don said he expected the elected government would carry on the tasks initiated by his government.

While the idea to force Thailand to skip the Asean chairmanship was not discussed in the Asean meeting here over the past week, the article was widely talked about at home, notably among dissident groups.

Prayut on Saturday called on Thais to not use the issue of Asean chairmanship to cause further rifts in the country, Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

Sansern quoted Prayut as saying that the Asean chairmanship is a matter for the entire country and all Thais, and does not belong to a specific person.

Asean forced Myanmar to forgo its 2006 chairmanship in order to push reforms for democratisation in the then-military-ruled country. Myanmar was given the chairmanship in 2014 when the country was run by Thein Sein after the 2010 election.

It was initially speculated that the Army chief, Navy chief, Air Force chief, the supreme commander and the permanent secretary for the Defence Ministry would hand over their reshuffle lists to Prawit during a breakfast meeting on Saturday morning.

Prawit had breakfast with some top brass at the Thai Conservation of Forests Foundation, housed in the First Infantry Regiment Royal Guards facilities.

But several military leaders did not turn up for the meeting as they were on foreign trips. Chalermchai was the only commander-in-chief to eat breakfast with the Deputy PM and Defence minister.

Chalermchai said he did not submit his Army reshuffle list to Prawit and the junta number two had given an extension allowing for submission of the lists next week.

Prawit has yet to call a meeting of the Defence Ministry committee in charge of finalising the reshuffling list for all armed forces. The committee needed to consider the transfers among military agencies.

The final list is expected to be completed within this month for Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to submit for a Royal command.

Sources said this year’s reshuffle is crucial as key commanding posts would be vacant and refilled, including the posts of Army chief, Army chief of staff, Army Area 1 commander and Army Area 3 commander.

It has been speculated that deputy permanent secretary General Nat Intharacharoen is being shifted to the new permanent secretary, while assistant Army chief General Apirat Kongsompong is being touted as the new Army chief.

Conducted by Bangkok Poll of Bangkok University, the survey interviewed 1,276 people, aged 18 years or above from around the country.

Bangkok Poll announced the government’s score had dropped by 0.21 points from the 5.27 points it achieved in last year’s survey of people’s satisfaction in government performance at its three-year mark.

Economic performance got the lowest score at 3.6 points – a drop of 0.25 points.

Top satisfaction went to the government’s handling of the national security, which earned the Prayut-led junta 6.14 points, a drop of 0.24 from the third anniversary survey.

People’s satisfaction with Prayut himself took a plunge, with a score drop from 7 points on his third anniversary in the job to 6.40 a year later.

The biggest group of respondents – 52.2 per cent – cited its economic failure as the government’s weakest area.

Asked what they think is the most outstanding achievement of the government, 23.4 per cent cited the public welfare card project that allowed low-income people to use the card to buy goods from certain shops.

The government’s performance in keeping peace and order was considered outstanding by 20.5 per cent of respondents, while 13.7 per cent cited the fight against corruption.

Meanwhile, 8.4 per cent cited the stepped-up law enforcement, and 8.2 per cent cited the fast implementation of mega projects such as the progress made on electric train projects.