Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan has bowed to a key demand by village heads and kamnans who protested in Bangkok yesterday against a bill that limits their terms of office.
Kamnans and village heads from across the country rally at the Royal Plaza to demand the government withdraw a bill that seeks to limit their terms to five years. The local administrators dispersed after Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan promised a new bill will be drafted to address their concerns. THITI WANNAMONTHA
He said he would instruct the Department of Provincial Administration to draft a new bill that addresses the local leaders' concerns.
However, Mr Charupong said it was not possible to withdraw the bill from parliament's agenda as his ministry had no authority to do so.
"But I give you my word that I will put a stop to it. This piece of legislation will not be tabled for deliberation in the current session," he told some 18,000 grassroots administrators who gathered at the Royal Plaza yesterday.
The village heads and kamnan came together to oppose the bill that would reduce their terms to five years.
At present they can serve until retirement at 60.
The local administrators' protest caused traffic congestion at the Royal Plaza and nearby roads.
Mr Charupong, his deputies Chatt Kuladilok and Pracha Prasopdee, interior permanent secretary Wibul Sa-nguanpong and Chuan Sirinanporn, director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration, visited the protesters and discussed their concerns.
Mr Charupong said the bill has yet to have its second reading.
A new bill to appease the local leaders, to be drafted by the Department of Provincial Administration, will be proposed to the House.
He promised the bill will leave the current terms of the kamnan and village heads untouched.
However, it will allow people to elect the kamnans, rather than allow them to be appointed as they are now, and candidates vying for kamnan seats must have served as village heads.
Mr Charupong, who is also the leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, pledged his MPs would support the bill.
Yongyos Kaewkhiew, president of the Association of Kamnan and Village Heads, asked Mr Charupong to swear an oath that he will do as promised.
The minister swore before the statue of King Rama V at the Royal Plaza to keep his word.
Mr Yongyos said his association would not join the anti-government rally planned by the Pitak Siam group. However, he threatened to renew the local leaders' rally if the minister goes back on his promise.
