Calendar 2007
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White Coffee Talk : Dr. Busarin was invited to be the speaker
Posted: 27 Aug 2007
 In July 2006, Dr. Busarin was invited to share her view as a Thai political analyst on the current political situation in Thailand. In her presentation, she predicted that military coup could be expected. True to her prediction, the military staged a coup d’etat on 19th September 2006.
On 8th July 2007, Dr. Busarin revisited the Gerakan White Coffee Talk to share her analysis on Thailand first referendum and its upcoming new constitution. She argued that a draft charter is a response to past situation, especially to the authoritarian democracy practiced by the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawatra.
Examples were provided as followed. Thaksin was accused of using his office to benefit his business interests i.e. Shin Corporation and iTV. Therefore, the new constitution bars a prime minister and any spouse or children from owning major stakes in private companies and from having a stake in media groups.
Selling shares to foreign companies was considered unethical - Shin Corporation to Temasek Holding - therefore, ethical violations becomes impeachable offence and the charter makes it easier to bring no confidence motions against the premier.
Elected Senators were not seen as credible under the former regime. Therefore, out of the total 150 senators 74 will be selected and 76 be elected. Senior government officials and the judiciary would control a committee which would appoint 74 senators.
Since Thaksin was seen as too powerful as a prime minister and was too difficult to get rid of, a new constitution limits the prime minister to two four year terms.
It was predicted that 60% of Thai voters will vote to accept a new constitution when they go to the referendum on Sunday 19th August 2007. People in Bangkok were rather critical of the new constitution, while people in the South are more willing to accept it. The most critical area would be in the Northeast where people continue to support the former ruling power. The reason why people would vote to accept was because they believe that it would pave the way for a fresh election which will subsequently contribute to the improvement of its economy and probably can end the political stalemate.
“White Coffee Talk” was an evening talk held every Wednesday evening at the Party Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Headquarter. The programme is open for party members as well as the Malaysian public. It was initiated by the Political Training Bureau of Party Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia in 2006 followed by a subsequent official launch on the 4th of July 2007.
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