All in the family for senate hopefuls

Published on December 05, 2005 - Political critics tend not to be too convinced by senatorial runners with relatives in the government who promise to carry out their work free from any influence from their family ties.

The critics say the promise is an impractical one.

Critics have also slammed the Senate on a number of occasions for lacking independence and failing to properly scrutinise the government. Nevertheless, a number of the individuals who have declared their intentions of running for an Upper House seat early next year appear to have close ties with government figures.

Senator Seri Suwanphanon said he found it hard to believe that people in the same family could work in the same field and still remain impartial.

“The idea of relatives of politicians fulfilling their roles totally impartially can only work in theory, not in practice. It would almost certainly cause problems,” he said.

Kanin Bunsuwan, an architect of the 1997 Constitution, said according to the Constitution, senators have a duty to verify the work of MPs. In which case being entirely impartial seems unlikely for relatives because their work and their relationship can never be entirely separated.

The critics first raised their concerns when it became clear that a number of competitors for the upcoming senatorial election were related to politicians.

They include Deputy Minister Suwat Liptapanlop’s wife Poonpirom, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat’s wife Salakjit, and Chai Chidchob and Kanan Supa, who are the father and father-in-law of Deputy Agriculture Minister Newin.

There is also Wittaya Thienthong, the younger brother of TRT chief adviser Snoh; Kwanruen Thienthong, who is the mother of two TRT MPs – Treenuch and Thanit; Porrutai Shinawatra, who is the wife of Thai Rak Thai MP Payap (a younger brother of the prime minister); Arunee Chamnarnsilp, who is the wife of TRT MP Surachart; Duangkhae Annopporn, who is the wife of TRT MP Pongsakorn; and Hareemoh Uttarasin, who is the wife of TRT MP Areepen.

TRT MP Pongsakorn Annopporn said that the public is understandably concerned that if relatives of politicians become senators, it could affect the senator’s ability to perform the duty of checking and balancing politicians.

Duangkhae Annopporn, who is running for a seat, said it could prove advantageous for a senator and an MP to come from the same family as the individuals would be able to share in-depth information that could be beneficial to their work.

TRT MP Surachart said his wife Arunee has never been a member of the TRT party and added that she has an independent opinion and is free to make her own choices about her career and that he wouldn’t intervene.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation