With the newly elected senators having begun collecting their certificates and reporting for duty, attention has shifted to the contest for Senate Speaker. There is a lot of talk about attempts to lobby for potential candidates as the next Senate Speaker. Three have emerged so far: ex-4th Army chief Gen Kriangkrai Srirak, ex-Buri Ram governor Mongkol Surasajja, and ex-career judge Boonsong Noisopon.
As a former judge, Mr. Boonsong, 73, has a robust legal background. He served as an adviser to the second deputy Senate Speaker and was once a member of the Election Commission (EC). He was also a former president of the Court of Appeal Region 7 and a former judge of the Supreme Court.
Among the three front-runners, Gen Kriangkrai and Mr. Mongkol are said to have close ties with the coalition partner Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party. Mr. Boonsong is said to be backed by a group of so-called independent senators.
Gen Kriangkrai, who had the most votes in Group 1, is known to have close ties to BJT leader and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. He served as chief adviser to Mr. Anutin before he applied to run for a Senate seat. The 61-year-old former army officer played a key role in the peace talks in the deep South, working with teams headed by Gen Udomchai Thammasarorat and Gen Wallop Raksanoh.
Mr. Mongkol, 73, is known to have connections with a powerful “Ban Yai” political family in the northeastern province of Buri Ram. He applied to run for a Senate seat in Buri Ram. A high-profile interior official, Mr. Mongkol was nominated for the interior permanent secretary post but withdrew out of concern about an internal rift. He served in several key posts, including as the director-general of the Interior Ministry’s Department of Provincial Administration.
On Thursday, Mr. Mongkol declined to comment on speculation that he may be the new Senate Speaker. He said he was new to the senatorial role and needed time to learn the ropes. He also said talk about him being tipped for the post stressed him out.
Sen Chib Jitniyom, who was selected from the mass communication group, said on Thursday the Senate Speaker and the deputies will have challenging work because they will have to deal with laws and regulations that will require maintaining impartiality. A Senate Speaker with a strong legal background can help guide Senate meetings and contribute significantly to the Senate’s work, he said.
“It will help a lot if the post is filled by someone with a legal background because, without experience, legal issues can be perplexing,” he said.
Asked about the potential candidates for the post, he said it was too early to say if they were suitable while admitting that his group is considering vying for a deputy post.
Meanwhile, several newly elected senators on Thursday voiced support for a call to have a female senator as one of the speaker’s deputies amid reports that a group of 30 senators are planning to vie for the post. Sen Nantana Nantavaropas said the 30 senators who share similar ideologies are forming a group within the Upper House. It plans to hold talks about the election of the speaker, deputies, and chairmen of the Senate committees, she said, adding these key positions should be allocated fairly among 20 senators’ groups to ensure work effectiveness.
Sen Nantana also said the group members who will report for work on Monday share values and ideologies and are independent and committed to driving the people’s agenda. “We’ll discuss this matter within our group and consider potential, qualifications, and suitability. We’ll make a decision in line with the democratic process,” she said.
Sen Nuannit Hongwiwat on Thursday backed a proposal that the key positions in the Senate should be allocated to female senators, saying she is ready for the job. Six senators from Surin arrived at parliament yesterday in the same van to report for work. They were greeted by BJT MPs Pakorn Mungcharoenporn and Sanong Thepaksornnarong.
On Wednesday, the EC announced the names of the 200 senators-elect who were drawn from 20 professional groups. The names were also listed in the Royal Gazette the same day.
Mr. Boonsong seems like the most suitable candidate for Senate Speaker given his extensive legal background. We need someone with a deep understanding of law to guide such a crucial role.
While Mr. Boonsong’s legal expertise is impressive, don’t you think we need someone with more contemporary political experience?
Contemporary political experience is important, but a robust legal foundation is critical for interpreting and implementing laws. The balance between legal and political knowledge can be a powerful combination.
But Anya, Boonsong’s advanced age might be a concern. Can he keep pace with the demanding nature of the role?
Age might be a factor, but his experience can provide wisdom and stability. It’s about balancing energy with expertise.
Gen Kriangkrai’s experience with handling peace talks in the deep South shows he’s capable of dealing with complex situations. That’s a perspective we should consider.
A female senator for a deputy role sounds progressive. It’s time for women to have more representation in such positions.
Absolutely! Women bring unique perspectives and skills to leadership roles. It can only strengthen the Senate.
Let’s not get carried away with tokenism. Roles should be filled based on merit, not gender.
I find it problematic that Gen Kriangkrai and Mongkol have connections with the BJT Party. Can they truly remain impartial if elected?
That’s a valid point. Political ties can undoubtedly impact decision-making, potentially compromising impartiality.
It’s almost impossible to find someone without any political ties. What’s more critical is transparency and accountability.
True, but transparency and accountability are often easier said than done. Strong legal oversight might help.
Sen Chib Jitniyom’s point about needing a strong legal background for the Senate Speaker is spot on. It’s not just about politics, but also understanding complex legislative frameworks.
Exactly! Without proper legal understanding, the Senate could make grave errors in judgment.
But why not have a team of advisors for legal matters? A politically savvy person can rely on legal experts for guidance.
Advisors can help, but the Speaker’s own understanding of law is crucial for immediate, on-the-spot decisions.
Couldn’t agree more, Joe. The legal intricacies embedded in the legislative process need someone who can grasp them quickly and efficiently.
There’s too much focus on ties with political parties. We should be evaluating candidates based on their accomplishments and what they can bring to the Senate.
True, but political affiliations matter because they influence decisions and policies.
Aren’t we just trying to find the least-worst candidate with this logic? It’s a sad state of politics.
Maybe, but focusing solely on affiliations rather than qualifications misses the point.
It’s disappointing that no one is talking about the future directions and policies these candidates are advocating for. That’s what truly matters.
Agreed. We need to hear more about their vision for Thailand, not just their backgrounds.
Their backgrounds give us insight into how they might handle the role. However, future policy directions should indeed be a major discussion point.
It’s frustrating when elections focus more on personalities than actual plans for governance.
Gen Kriangkrai’s age and his peace talks experience might bring a matured, seasoned perspective to the Senate, which is invaluable.
True, but his military background might also mean he’s too rigid for such a political role.
Rigidity can sometimes translate to discipline, which isn’t entirely a bad thing in politics.
It’s amusing to think any of these politicians are ‘independent’. Everyone has their own agenda.
Why isn’t there more emphasis on younger senators? Fresh perspectives might be what we need the most right now.
The idea of a female senator as a deputy for the Speaker is fantastic. We need more diversity in politics.
Diversity is overhyped. Competence should be the only criterion.
Competence and diversity are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they often complement each other.
Mr. Mongkol’s reluctance to comment could indicate he’s not ready for the challenge of Senate Speaker. We need someone confident and ready to take charge.