The Senate has the heavy task of appointing an interim prime minister. According to an army source, coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha would be preferred by the Senate, but Prayuth does not want the position.
Until new elections take place, the country will continue to be governed by the NPOMC (National Peace and Order Maintaining Council) with the chiefs of the armed forces and the chief of police as 'government' (see diagram). Even after the retirement of Prayuth and the other commanders who will retire in September, they will remain in office. "Everything in the country must be in order before elections are held," Prayuth said.
Yesterday, the junta met with top officials, provincial governors and representatives of various sectors (photo). Prayuth: 'When you are in power, you should not think about yourself but look ahead. The army can always be trusted.'
Prayuth promised to find money within twenty days to compensate the farmers who have been waiting for months for payment for their surrendered rice. G2G rice deals (government to government) are suspended.
On Thursday evening, the NPOMC announced its eleventh decision. With the exception of chapter 2 (on the monarchy), the constitution is rendered inoperative. The Senate, courts and independent organizations (including Electoral Council, Ombudsman) will continue to function.
The newspaper notes that this decision has no precedent, because it was not left intact in previous coups. Past coup plotters favored establishing a national legislative assembly to replace parliament. But Prayuth and his associates do not, now that the Senate can continue to function as a legislature.
In the past, coup plotters also usually set up a committee to seize politicians' assets and prepare charges against them. That task now rests with the existing organizations, such as the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Senator Jate Siritharanont says it's unclear what powers the Senate has now that the constitution has been overruled. "The Senate will have to wait for further decisions from the NPOMC."
Jate believes that a temporary constitution should be established, which defines the powers of the Senate. The best, he says, is when the Senate chooses a new prime minister and nominates him for royal assent. That's more legitimate than the NPOMC doing this.
(Source: Bangkok Post, May 24, 2014)
You would now gradually think that the red shirts would get through that they should no longer vote for the Shinawatra clan (or whatever will replace it in the new elections), especially after the lack of payment for the delivered rice from the usually very poor rice farmers….but you never know in Thailand, it can go in the most unexpected directions.
It seems to me that reasonableness still prevails among the military.
So far I'm still happy with their performance, so far so good
It is all organizationally fine and you can / should also expect that from the army.
However, there is a blemish and that is that the senate has not been dissolved. It is also unclear to me who this concerns the 35 people from the academic world who have been summoned to report to the NPOMC.
Have these 35 been called up to have input into the Reformation or are they potential opponents of this coup? In any case, it is now clear that the old guard, who has always been in power behind the scenes, are in charge again. Note the appointed senators. Let's just hope that the current army command are not puppets of the people behind the scenes. As long as life is made too difficult for the poor people, they will always support the one they give hope to.
I think it would be best to ban all politicians, parliament, senate and ex-government from being politically active for 10 years, as they have proven to have had too little regard for what the entire people really need, namely a good income and a good education. To bring the work where it is really needed and to provide the facilities for the (new) companies). If an airport is needed, build it. If better access roads are needed, build those as well. Just start bringing handicrafts to the low-skilled regions first, then their daughters don't have to play the whore either. This also gives more hope for a better life. For example, the Sinawatras did not do enough in that regard when they were in government.
And above all, abolish patronage (the elderly and people who have more money and see this as superior) Having respect for those people is good, but it does not mean that you should be limited by them and that you are allowed to develop your own opinion and not subject it to have to hide chairs or benches.. So abolish buying jobs etc.
In short, develop the poor regions !!!!
The senate has since been dissolved, after electing Prayuth as prime minister.
Interesting article in The Economist: http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21602759-sudden-move-army-brings-only-near-term-calm-path-throne
The senate is no longer allowed to say anything and has been dissolved. All parliamentary power is now in the hands of the NCPO. National Police Chief Adul and DSI Chief Tarit have been relieved of their duties. (Bangkok Post)