Senator-elect and renowned rights advocate Angkhana supports the fresh chamber’s independence despite accusations of politics
According to Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit, the new Senate promises to be a beacon of hope and bring about change in Thai elections.
Ms. Angkhana insists that lawmakers also may be free of any political interference and work in the people’s best interests despite a large number of innovative lawmakers being rumored to have social associations, most notably with the BJT Party.
Given that most lawmakers appear to be affiliated with officials, Ms. Angkhana acknowledged in an appointment with the Bangkok Post that she will be in the majority in the lower chamber.
” I will work to the best of my powers. But I expect to be in the majority… Some lawmakers are believed to belong to the same group ]with social affiliations]. We have to say the truth of the Senate vote outcome”, she said.
Yingcheep Atchanont, director of Internet Dialogue on Law Reform, claimed that Ms. Angkhana, a past member of the National Human Rights Commission, had won her race while representing a civic society organization, but that she still received fewer votes than some less well-known individuals from Buri Ram, the BJT democratic stronghold.
Sign of hope
Ms. Angkhana asserted that the new Senate may offer more hope than the earlier junta-appointed room, and that they are expected to make a welcome change.
” The fresh Senate gives me more desire than the previous room.” I know a number of separate senators, and they anticipate change,” she said, while cautioning politicians against meddling with the top chamber’s work.
” Political parties and anyone who has outside influence may prevent idling,” he wrote. Lawmakers should be able to freely express their opinions, she said.
Lawmakers are obligated to listen to persons regardless of their political affiliations when it comes to significant issues that affect people.
” Many new lawmakers are said to have political relationships. Some were past local politicians, while others were past MPs. However, they now need to demonstrate their freedom in their fresh position, according to Ms. Angkhana.
Lawmakers are required to carry out their duties properly and without fear of being subjected to stress from outsiders when important bills are presented to the Senate for consideration. Voting on the passing of new regulations will be an indicator]of whether the fresh legislators are independent ],” Ms Angkhana added.
Role in contract shift
She said senators frequently ignored contract amendment proposals that had been submitted by the public in the past when addressing the Senate’s role in the law amendment debate.
She did promise that at least some senators, including herself, may now support for ideas.
Under the law, any plan to amend the contract requires the help of one-third of the fresh 200 lawmakers, or at least 67 senators. Without their assistance, policy amendment proposals may continue.
When asked about a plan to create a new charter without amending Chapters 1 and 2 of the king, Ms. Angkhana said any proposals to amend any contract provisions may be open to discussion.
Thailand is described in Chapter 1 as a single, unbroken, political country with the King as head of state, while Section 2 includes provisions relating to royal privilege.
She claimed that she was a member of the 2007 Constitution’s writing committee, where she could examine any suggestions for changes to the charter.
However, any proposed charter act is ultimately decided by a lot vote in parliament.
” We have to value the results while]the thoughts of ] those in the minority should also be acknowledged”, she said.
Additionally, Ms. Ankhana supports a human being elected as the new Senate Speaker, and a woman may be chosen to fill the position of Senate Speaker or deputy Senate Speaker.
” A civil Senate Speaker may be adaptable and open-minded. Giving guidelines may involve using a military-trained Senate speech.
” People from a variety of backgrounds make up the Senate.” They are not here to get purchases,” Ms Angkhana said.
The interim senators will step down after the election commission’s endorsement of all 200 newly elected lawmakers and their replacements on July 10, with the previous incumbent ‘ terms officially expiring two months earlier.
Unlike their predecessors, new lawmakers will not be empowered to co-elect a new prime minister.
Nevertheless, they will continue to participate in passing legislation and changing rules and the law.
Additionally, they may continue to monitor the effectiveness of the executive branch of government and assign people of independent organizations to boards.