Pheu Thai Party has made the right decision in nominating Somsak Kiatsuranon as House Speaker. The selection of the Khon Kaen MP and his deputies was endorsed by His Majesty the King yesterday.
Nominating Col Apiwan as speaker would have been the wrong move, which would have tainted the image of the incoming government led by top party list MP and presumptive prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra. With his role in joining the anti-government protests last year, it is undeniable that Col Apiwan has close links with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship. Pressure would have been piled on Ms Yingluck and her administration if a red shirt associate were allowed to take a prestigious position in Parliament. Concern about the close connection between Col Apiwan and the UDD was the main factor which led Pheu Thai to finally choose Mr Somsak over Col Apiwan.
In the process, Charoen Chankolmol, an MP for Chaiyaphum, and Wisut Chainarun, a Phayao representative, were selected to be Mr Somsak's deputies. All are from the same party, Pheu Thai, which won the July 3 election.
The royal endorsement officially makes Mr Somsak the House Speaker for the first time in his long political career. Yet, the position is not unfamiliar to him. The 57-year-old veteran politician was a deputy house speaker before in 1997 when he was with the New Aspiration Party. Despite little experience in the position at that time, Mr Somsak was recognised by his colleagues - both in the NAP and other parties - for having impressively controlled lower house sessions and lawmakers, regardless of political affiliation. Since then he has been nicknamed "The Hammer Man" for his strict and decisive orders whenever he chaired the meetings.
With Ms Yingluck as a first-time MP and government leader, other Pheu Thai MPs will undoubtedly expect Mr Somsak to look out for her in Parliament, especially when she is grilled by the Democrat-led opposition in parliamentary sessions.
Pheu Thai, which has 265 MPs - the figure rises to 300 with the inclusion of its coalition parties - already dominates the 500-seat Lower House. But having Mr Somsak as House Speaker will give the ruling party some comfort in the expectation of his protection for the younger sister of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, especially from any debate or attack by MPs from the opposition.
However, despite his representing Pheu Thai, Mr Somsak must realise that the position of the House Speaker means he has to perform his duty without any political favouritism. The Lower House leader has to bear in mind that all political parties - both of the government and opposition - have to be equally and fairly treated in all matters. The legislative branch acts as the main venue for the check-and-balance system in politics to function effectively. Any attempt to cripple the system will taint the reputation of Parliament.
So from yesterday onwards, the House of Representatives came under Mr Somsak's direction. And he will have to live up to his nickname of "The Hammer Man" in carrying out his duties with absolute impartiality.
คำศัพท์ที่น่าสนใจ
a gavel ฆ้อนที่ประธานใช้สั่ง/อำนาจ
to nominate เลือกเสนอชื่อเพื่อชิงตำแหน่ง
shortlist บัญชีรายชื่อผู้ที่จะมาทำงาน
be chosen uncontested ถูกเลือกโดยไม่มีคู่แข่ง
presumptive มีโอกาสที่จะเป็นไปได้มาก
The royal endorsement มีพระราชโองการโปรดเกล้า
be stick and decisive แข่งครัดและเด็ดขาด
favoritism เข้าข้าง
political affiliation สายสัมพันธ์ทางการเมือง
will taint the reputation จะทำเสียชื่อเสียง
with absolutely impartiality โดยไม่เข้าข้างฝ่ายใดอย่างเด็ดขาด
ex-premiere นายกรัฐมนตรีคนก่อน
the opposition ฝ่ายค้าน
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