Thai election soon?

Press, 15 July 1978, Page 14

Thai election soon?

By

G. N. FORSYTH

in Bangkok

There are widespread doubts in Thailand that the country will return to democratic elections before April, 1979, if then, in spite of the drafting of a new constitution bv a 35-man committee, one member of which suggested general elections should take place this December 10 (Constitution Day). Pressure has been put on the Prime Minister, General Knangsak Chomanan, to stay on since his Government, under the watchful eye of the Revolutionary Party (now the National Policy Council), is thought to be coping well with Thailand’s problems. Nevertheless, the Revolutionary Party’s interim constitution states that elections are to be held this year. Only if the National Legislative Assembly calls for re-draft-ing of the new, permanent constitution may elections be delayed, and then the deadline is April, 1979. But the prospect of this thirteenth constitution being deliberated, approved and promulgated, and political parties—still faced with a revolutionary decree banning political meetings — being able to regroup and carry out campaigns by that date seems doubtful. Newspapers generally assume that the April. 1979, deadline will be about the earliest possibility for polling day, and at least one has maintained that irregularities were deliberately included in the draft constitution to ensure it would not be nromulgated too soon. There is likely to be much debate about the article in

the proposed constitution stating that the Prime Minister does not have to be a member of Parliament, but can be any Thai citizen of 25 years or over appointed by a majority of the lower house. As the leader of the defunct Socialist Party of Thailand pointed out, it could mean that the electorate will be unable to hold the Prime Minister accountable to them if he is not a member of Parliament or a member of a political party. Still more controversial is the proposal that Senators, who are to be appointed by the King on the recommendation of the National Policy Sa-ngad Chaloryu, will vote along with representatives in all major debates. They will number three-quarters as many as the representatives, so governments will have to toe their line meticulously to stay in power. The drafting committee which included veteran politicians such as the former Prime Ministers Seni and Kukrit Pramoj, sought at all costs to avoid the shaky, short-lived coalitions of the past, and by calling for an appointed Senate of mature and responsible people, to ensure political stability. Another aim is to cut down the number of parties. No fewer than 39 contested the 1976 election, causing confusion among the electorate. In future each party will have to field candidates in at least half of the constituencies. It is to be hoped that Thailand’s next democratic regime, if and when it

materialises, will be more successful than previous ones. But the tests will be severe. The electorate will be looking for a tough, dedicated, and resourceful leader. At present the odds seem to favour a re-emergence of General Kriangsak, who will be retiring in September from his post of Supreme Commander and may be looking for another job after the dissolution of the present Government. Copyright: World Feature Services, Ltd, 1978.