• by IPS Correspondents (bangkok)
• Saturday, November 12, 1994
• Inter Press Service

BANGKOK, Nov 12 (IPS) - Critics of the Thailand's fragile coalition government led by Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai are always predicting its break-up, but it has so far managed to survive crises thrown its way and even completed its mid-term in October.

Now, however, it is wobbling ominously because of yet another round of wranglings over charter reforms.

Indeed, rifts in the five-party coalition over a draft bill to introduce direct election of all local officials seem to be widening as the National Aspiration Party (NAP), a major coalition partner, openly opposed the bill this week.

A NAP decision to go its own way would be damaging for the Chuan government, which has made grassroots democracy and decentralisation of power to the provinces a key administration platform.

Sanan Krasonprasart, secretary general of Chuan's Democrat Party, lashed out Friday at Interior Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and his NAP colleagues, saying the party must toe the government line on Articles 198 and 199.

Government and opposition parties are set to pass the charter articles that call for the election of provincial and local councils and administrative organisations and require the interior ministry to amend all related laws in four years.

Under pressure from the all-powerful interior ministry, NAP leader Chavalit is strongly campaigning against the two articles, insisting that the shift to grassroots democracy be delayed by six years.

Interior ministry officials who call the proposed law "divisive" argue that they need that much time to adequately prepare for the polls that would require amendments to some 25 related laws.

Local Administration Department (LAD) director-general Chuwong Chayabutr said the task would be "impossible" and warned of negative consequences if the sub-district and village headmen lose their appointive positions. Already, headmen in many provinces who oppose the amendments are reportedly planning rallies.

But critics say interior ministry bureaucrats are wary of losing power and are merely dragging their feet. Says House Speaker Charas Puachay: "They (interior ministry officials) are hoping that in a period of four or more years there will be another coup to tear up the constitution and there will be no distribution of power."

More than 250,000 interior ministry staff will lose their jobs when changes in the local administration system come into effect with the new law, says a LAD report.

© Inter Press Service (2014) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: Inter Press Service

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