Constitution amendment under fire

A bill to regulate rallies on public streets is due to be considered soon in Parliament, but public opposition appears to be getting fiercer. The bill was proposed by People Power Party MPs led by Sakon Nakhon's Jumpot Boonyai.

Critics say the bill is simply a government's strategy to attack their opponents in the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The bill would require rally organisers to get permission from provincial committees or the Metropolitan Police chief before any rallies are staged. Government committees would be authorised to ban rallies from being held if they were deemed likely to inconvenience traffic or commuters.

The bill also proposes that in the event of committee orders being violated, police or other officials can disperse rallies without being subject to criminal or civil punishment.

Curiously, the origin of this bill was the military-appointed National Legislative Assembly. NLA member Police General Issaraphan Sanitvong na Ayutthaya, then deputy national police commissioner, proposed it first.

The only difference now is the PPP-proposed version includes a ban on rallies that obstruct traffic.

Previously, it was the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, an anti-coup group, staging anti-government rallies. But the wheel has turned.

DAAD was led by former Thai Rak Thai Party MPs Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Phromphan and Jakrapob Penkair. Jatuporn, Jakrapob and another DAAD official Natthawut Sai-kua later received positions in the People Power government.

The former proposal was strongly opposed by NLA members including Chamlong Srimuang, Gothom Arya, Kamnoon Sittisaman and Tuenjai Deetes, who said it was undemocratic. After three hours of debate, it was dropped without any further deliberation.

At the time, some DAAD members protested in front of the Parliament against the bill, saying it was aimed at attacking their group.

It shows that while both elected legislators and those appointed by coup-makers may want to limit people's rights and freedom to gather, the public will oppose such moves.

Jakrapob's assets

The National Counter-Corruption Commission has revealed the assets declaration by former PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair when he left the Cabinet.

Jakrapob had Bt200,000 less in assets compared to when he took the post.

One interesting item that he listed after taking the minister's post was a 9mm pistol. He requested permission to own the gun in April, two months after taking the post, saying he needed it to protect his life and possessions.

Kornchanok@nationgroup.com