Thai reform council recommends popular vote to elect premier

A military-appointed council in Thailand has suggested stripping the country’s parliament of the power to pick a prime minister and cabinet.

The recommendation by the so-called National Reform Council came as the body, which is appointed by the ruling junta, concluded a debate after three days to recommend that top government executives be elected into office through direct public voting.

The council’s recommendation will now be taken up by the country’s Constitution Drafting Committee, also set up by the military to draft a new constitution following a May 22 coup.

Thailand’s major political parties have challenged the proposal, arguing that it would weaken parliamentary checks and balances and promote patronage politics.

Moreover, supporters of ousted Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra argue that the proposed reforms appear to be geared toward averting the return of a government aligned with her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, an exiled billionaire and former prime minister, who was also removed in a 2006 coup.

“Direct elections for a prime minister are not appropriate for a democracy,” said Udomdej Rattansatien, a lawmaker from the Thaksin-aligned Puea Thai Party.

The May 22 coup against Shinawatra was justified by the military as an attempt to restore order after months of political upheaval that killed nearly 30 people. Thailand is currently ruled by an interim charter that gives the military government sweeping powers.