However, a Pheu Thai Party politician and a scholar voiced concerns over the reform plan, saying such moves should be inclusive to ensure that reforms are in line with people’s needs.

“A constitution is written to put rules in place for the country’s administration, to make ‘raw powers, big families’, play the game under the same rules,” Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) spokesman Udom Rathamarit said during the seminar in Bangkok about the nation’s future under the new charter.

He said the CDC had focused on morals and codes of conduct of independent organisations, governments, the House of Repre-sentatives, Senate, and judicial power.

The drafters had tried to design mechanisms to balance the three branches of powers – executive, judicial, and legislative – to avoid monopolisation, he explained.

“The CDC tries to console and [at the same time] coerce those who deploy public power to think carefully about whether it is right. [They] have to disclose [their use of power] to the public for scrutiny… [and] the state’s auditors have to be vigilant and see through the trick [before any irregularity occurs],” he said.

In regard to the “tough” qualifications set out in the charter for candidates who work for independent agencies, Udom said the screening process needed to be tough so suitable members could be selected to deal with the difficult work that the independent organisations do.

The spokesman said the national reform mechanism stipulated in the charter was important for driving the country over the next 20 years in a direction that the drafters want to see. However, he said, public opinion was a key element for the government in steering the reform plan, adding that in the future the charter could be amended on a logical basis, if people see that it “does not sound right”.

National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) member Kamnoon Sitthisamarn also anticipated that the country would shift to a new era six years after the charter is promulgated.

He said Thailand would see volatility and instability because of unprecedented mechanisms enshrined in the charter, namely two newly designed organic laws on political parties and the Election Commission. Also, he said the charter has designed a mechanism for continual reform that future governments will be required to follow.

Kamnoon said within 120 days after the charter promulgation, two Acts [one regarding reform plans and steps, and the other relating to national strategy] had to be rolled out. And the national reform plan would be finished within one year and a few months.

In addition, the sweeping power that junta head and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has would still be valid after the promulgation and most of the Senate were appointed by the junta, he said.

Given these factors, he said, the new charter would dramatically change national structures.

Meanwhile, law expert Banjerd Singkaneti and former deputy prime minister Phongthep Thepkanjana believe that the state should encourage people participation in the reform process.

Phongthep, from Pheu Thai, voiced concern over the junta-appointed Senate, independent organisations, and the Constitutional Court, which are empowered by the charter to remove politicians from office, saying they could not be scrutinised by the people.

He said it would be difficult for elected politicians to work effectively under such a system.

Banjerd, a former dean of the National Institute of Development Administration’s Faculty of Law, said that under the new charter, political parties would still be influenced by big corporates and ideologically, political parties based on the people would not easily exist.

He said the patronage system would be more intense because of the sweeping power of the Constitutional Court, the Senate, and independent organisations under the charter.

Meanwhile, law expert Banjerd Singkaneti and former deputy premier Phongthep Thepkanjana said they felt the state should encourage public participation in the reform process.

Banjerd said that under the new charter, political parties would still be influenced by big corporates and ideological parties based on the people would not easily occur.

The CDC would forward the law to the National Legislative Assembly first to ensure political parties would have adequate time, Meechai said.

The chief charter writer also said the National Council for Peace and Order was considering rescinding its orders and announcements one by one based on necessity.

They could not be quashed all at once, as it could cause confusion, he said. However, the orders and announcements would be endorsed under the new constitution.

Meechai’s comments came after politicians asked for relaxation of the current rules prohibiting political parties from assembling. They are worried they will not have enough time to |prepare for the election promised for next year.

Meechai said political parties would have up to 150 days to adapt to some of the changes under the new law. And only after the political parties were ready would the CDC submit the last organic laws – on the Senate and the election of MPs – to the NLA for further deliberation, he said.

He stressed that the CDC was not trying to delay the election, but was only trying to ensure political parties had the time they needed to prepare for it, he said.

However, everything would proceed as per the timeframe granted by the constitution for the CDC to work on the 10 organic laws, he said.

Other issues of concern regarding the organic laws include the qualifications of commissioners of independent agencies and NLA members, which might result in some people being unseated.

Meechai said the provisional clauses of the new constitution allowed independent agency commissioners to remain in office until the organic laws were completed. But should any problem occur, the organic laws set out that the recruiting committee would be responsible for investigating the cases, he explained.

Members of the NLA would be spared, unless they had been found guilty of malfeasance or have been imprisoned, because they only work temporarily, Meechai said.

The NLA members, however, could petition the Constitutional Court to consider their colleagues’ qualifications if they suspected they were not qualified, he added.

AS MANY as seven police companies will be on standby to help arrest and remove fugitive abbot Phra Dhammachayo from of Wat Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province if he fails to surrender by December 10.

The police and Department of Special Investigation (DSI) have decided to take action if a National Office of Buddhism team assigned to negotiate the abbot’s surrender is unsuccessful, deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahamakul said yesterday.

The DSI has asked for six to seven companies, each with at least 100 personnel, to be on standby around the clock.

The DSI also requested medics, nurses, explosive ordnance disposal officers, police K-9 officers and helicopters to also be on standby, he said.

Srivara said that police would provide manpower and tools upon request.

The DSI was told to bring in Phra Dhammachayo to face charges of money laundering and receiving stolen assets linked to an embezzlement case involving the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative (KCUC).

Police also want him in relation to a case related to the World Peace Valley Khao Yai monastic retreat that allegedly encroaches on state-owned land in Nakhon Ratchasima province.

Srivara said yesterday that if the abbot did not surrender by the new deadline, investigators would file a complaint against Wat Dhammakaya acting abbot for harbouring a fugitive.

Ong-art Dhammanitta, spokesman of the Dhammakaya disciples group, said last week that the abbot was ill and recovering in the temple. Srivara said if a police probe found that was untrue, Ong-art could face a charge of putting false information into computer.

Srivara said if it was later found that Phra Dhammachayo was not at the temple, the monk would be deemed a fleeing suspect and police would conclude the land encroachment case for prosecutors’ to consider for indictment.

National police chief Pol General Chakthip Chaijinda voiced concern over a possible violent confrontation at the temple if the authorities move in to arrest the monk.

In regard to a previous comment from Ong-art that he didn’t get fair treatment from state officers, Chakthip said the remark seemed to be intended to pressure officers. It was not an insult to officers who act according to their duty in regard to a criminal offence.

Chaktip urged the media to report the news with fairness, he said he believed the monk was still at the temple and thus police must proceed with a charge of harbouring a fugitive to those responsible.

Deputy Premier Wissanu Krea-ngam pointed out that it would not be a problem if the abbot was captured and given bail. But if he was not allowed bail, he must leave the monkshood first, because Thai authorities would not place a monk in prison or a detention cell.

If a monk faced charges, it would not affect his monk status, he said, but if he were to be detained or jailed he would have to leave the monkhood willingly by himself or be disrobed.

A MAJOR merit-making ceremony will be held on a bridge named after HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej as a tribute to the late monarch on his 89th birthday, next Monday (Dec 5).

The ceremony is being organised by the Tourism Authority and will take place at Bhumibol Bridge, Deputy Prime Minister Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn said yesterday.

The bridge was opened by the late King and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the same time as Ladpho Canal water-gate in 2010.

The event will welcome participants from the government and private sector, plus members of the public.

Songs composed by the King will be performed when the ceremony starts at 5am. Then, at 6.19am, participants will cordially sing the late King’s “The Impossible Dream” and release balloons in memory to the late, beloved monarch, Tanasak said.

Participants will then make offerings to 999 monks and write vows on postcards to commit good deeds in tribute to the late King. The postcards will be blessed in a prayer ceremony and returned to writers as fortuitous objects.

December 5 is also known as World Soil Day – to mark the late King’s efforts to develop soil. So, blessed soil from sacred temples will also be given away in memory of the late monarch.

Jazz songs at City Hall

Later, from 6pm in the evening, the Culture Ministry will organise live jazz performances of royal songs at the Khon Muang Plaza in front of Bangkok City Hall.

Meanwhile, a nationwide event dubbed “Candlelight of Siam” will be held as per government guidelines, to see in the New Year. At a quarter to midnight on December 31, loyal subjects will gather at Sanam Luang and temples countrywide to perform the “cross-year” prayer to bless Thailand and the Royal Family.

The royal composition, “New Year Greeting” will be played when the new year enters. Then, at 12.09 am, candles will be lit amid prayers in tribute to the Kingdom, the monarchy and all participants.

Tanasak said the Cabinet had yet to consider the official calendar for 2017. The dates of some holidays may be altered depending on the timing of certain events, but final results should be known before year’s end.