Walk no cure for bone, argue reviewers
PUBLISHED: 15 Jan 2025 at 04: 00
Monday, the Parliament voted in favor of changing its meeting rules to allow civil servants to appoint a parliamentary committee tasked with approving expenses that require amendments to the contract.
In their mutual hanging, the House of Representatives and the Senate voted 415 to 185, with three nays, to endorse in theory the change proposed by Women’s Party list-MP Parit Wacharasindhu.
A joint congress commission, which is only composed of congress members, is required under the current law to review policy act bills that pass the first reading.
According to Mr. Parit, the change will enable senators and political parties to select experts for the consideration process and maintain a thorough examination of the proposed amendments.
The revised legislation would also be in line with the regulations for the scrutiny of another drafts of legislation that allow non-parliament members to participate and thus promote wider involvement, he said.
The proposed change was discussed in relation to the condition that a third of the investigation committee members get legal sector representatives, with some MPs and senators having oppose views.
Those who opposed the shift argued that it could help non-parliament members to make up the entire scrutiny committee, which would destroy the function of lawmakers.
Senator Pisit Apiwattanapong expressed debate and concern about the selection of members from the civil service.
He questioned whether the procedure may be manipulated to serve political purposes.
However, the procedure descended into chaos when Senator Ruchu Kaewlai nominated Dr Premsak Piayura, Lcdr Wutthipong Pongsuwan, Pol Col Kob Atchanakitti, Pisit Apiwattanapong and Sitthikorn Thongyot as the Senate’s members on the investigation commission.
The votes were challenged by Senator Thewarit Maneechai who put forth an alternative party of individuals: Nanthana Nathawaropas, Prapat Pintoptaeng, Pornchai Wittayalertpan, Weerayut Soithong and Sunthon Pruekpipat.
Ms. Nanthana urged congress leader Wan Muhamad Noor Matha to keep in mind that the Senate typically sidelines majority members.
The senators were finally given a 30-minute break to permit Mr. Wan Noor to resolve the issue.
After the crack, the Senate revised its votes and proposed Dr Premsak, Lcdr Wutthipong, Pol Col Kob, Mr Pisit and Mr Pornchai as the committee members.