By Political Desk
The Nation
In this world, there are two types of politicians: those who have political spirit and those who don't.
Since the September 2006 coup, Thai politics has undergone many changes. We have had four prime ministers and four governments. Dozens of ministers have been removed and replaced, thanks mostly to the current charter which has more control on wayward politicians. It's been said that the current Constitution had been drafted just so that former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's regime could be removed.
Some ministers quit as soon as a finger was pointed at them, while a few only resigned after being pressured to do so. Then there were those who ignored all pressure and stayed put.
Over the past three years, Thai voters have discovered that politicians have three types of reaction when facing disgrace.
There are those who refuse to step down despite constant public pressure. They are:
- During Surayud Chulanont's government, deputy finance minister Sommai Phasee, public health minister Mongkol Na Songkla and education minister Wijit Srisa-an faced allegations of breaching constitutional rules by owning more than 5 per cent shares in private companies.
They claimed the share-holding limitations did not apply to Surayud's government because the Constitution had allowed it a grace period.
- During Samak Sundaravej's reign, deputy prime minister and finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee, labour minister Uraiwan Thienthong and deputy transport minister Anurak Jureemas were indicted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission over the two- and three-digit lottery scheme. Citing legal technicalities, they argued that the indictments would only be effective if they were holding their former positions.
- Also during Samak's reign, transport minister Santi Prompat faced a lawsuit accusing him of wrongfully obtaining education records in order to qualify for the job. He stayed put.
- Incumbent House Speaker Chai Chidchob is staying despite holding shares in a state concession-related company, which is barred by the charter.
- Incumbent Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban faces electoral-fraud charges by the Election Commission.
The second type are those who succumb to pressure and step down:
- During Surayud's time, information and communication technology minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, deputy commerce minister Oranut Osathanon, interior minister Aree Wongsearaya, deputy foreign minister Sawanit Kongsiri, and natural resources and environment minister Kasem Sanidwong Na Ayudhaya quit for allegedly breaching constitutional rules by holding more than 5 per cent in private firms.
- Jakrapob Penkair resigned as PM's office minister during Samak's time in the wake of pressure over a controversial speech he had given at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, in which he was seen as referring to the monarchy.
- Noppadon Pattama had to quit as Foreign Minister during Samak's regime because the Constitution Court found his agreement with Cambodia on the Preah Vihear Temple unconstitutional.
- Witoon Nambutr resigned as social development and human security minister during the current government's time due to a scandal over the distribution of rotten canned fish to flood victims in Phatthalung.
Then are the politicians who had to be discharged via legal proceedings:
- Chaiya Sasomsap had to step down as Health Minister during Samak's time after he was found to have violated the constitutional ban on the 5 per cent cap on equity stakes.
His wife's shares exceeded the limit and he had failed to declare this within 30 days since assuming office.
- House speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat under Samak's government was disqualified by the Supreme Court due to fraud in the 2007 general elections.
- The Constitution Court disqualified Samak as prime minister for breaching the charter's Article 267 because hosting a television show and a radio programme made him the employee of a private firm.
Now we have to wait and see what sort of politician Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya turns out to be and how he will react to the terrorism charges he is facing.
Since the September 2006 coup, Thai politics has undergone many changes. We have had four prime ministers and four governments. Dozens of ministers have been removed and replaced, thanks mostly to the current charter which has more control on wayward politicians. It's been said that the current Constitution had been drafted just so that former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's regime could be removed.
Some ministers quit as soon as a finger was pointed at them, while a few only resigned after being pressured to do so. Then there were those who ignored all pressure and stayed put.
Over the past three years, Thai voters have discovered that politicians have three types of reaction when facing disgrace.
There are those who refuse to step down despite constant public pressure. They are:
- During Surayud Chulanont's government, deputy finance minister Sommai Phasee, public health minister Mongkol Na Songkla and education minister Wijit Srisa-an faced allegations of breaching constitutional rules by owning more than 5 per cent shares in private companies.
They claimed the share-holding limitations did not apply to Surayud's government because the Constitution had allowed it a grace period.
- During Samak Sundaravej's reign, deputy prime minister and finance minister Surapong Suebwonglee, labour minister Uraiwan Thienthong and deputy transport minister Anurak Jureemas were indicted by the National Anti-Corruption Commission over the two- and three-digit lottery scheme. Citing legal technicalities, they argued that the indictments would only be effective if they were holding their former positions.
- Also during Samak's reign, transport minister Santi Prompat faced a lawsuit accusing him of wrongfully obtaining education records in order to qualify for the job. He stayed put.
- Incumbent House Speaker Chai Chidchob is staying despite holding shares in a state concession-related company, which is barred by the charter.
- Incumbent Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban faces electoral-fraud charges by the Election Commission.
The second type are those who succumb to pressure and step down:
- During Surayud's time, information and communication technology minister Sitthichai Pookaiyaudom, deputy commerce minister Oranut Osathanon, interior minister Aree Wongsearaya, deputy foreign minister Sawanit Kongsiri, and natural resources and environment minister Kasem Sanidwong Na Ayudhaya quit for allegedly breaching constitutional rules by holding more than 5 per cent in private firms.
- Jakrapob Penkair resigned as PM's office minister during Samak's time in the wake of pressure over a controversial speech he had given at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand, in which he was seen as referring to the monarchy.
- Noppadon Pattama had to quit as Foreign Minister during Samak's regime because the Constitution Court found his agreement with Cambodia on the Preah Vihear Temple unconstitutional.
- Witoon Nambutr resigned as social development and human security minister during the current government's time due to a scandal over the distribution of rotten canned fish to flood victims in Phatthalung.
Then are the politicians who had to be discharged via legal proceedings:
- Chaiya Sasomsap had to step down as Health Minister during Samak's time after he was found to have violated the constitutional ban on the 5 per cent cap on equity stakes.
His wife's shares exceeded the limit and he had failed to declare this within 30 days since assuming office.
- House speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat under Samak's government was disqualified by the Supreme Court due to fraud in the 2007 general elections.
- The Constitution Court disqualified Samak as prime minister for breaching the charter's Article 267 because hosting a television show and a radio programme made him the employee of a private firm.
Now we have to wait and see what sort of politician Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya turns out to be and how he will react to the terrorism charges he is facing.
