Speaking at a seminar entitled "How senators can effectively check the government", held at Thammasat University, senator Wallop Tangkhananurak said about 170 new senators seemed to have connections with politicians.

So the minority senators should work together and consult each other about which commissions they want to work for, he said.

If the senators could take part in three or four commissions, the work of monitoring the government would be more effective, Wallop said.

He said minority senators should inform the media and the people about the Senate's movements to give people a chance to follow the works of all senators.

"The minority senators should have meetings to exchange information. It would make the group work more efficiently and in the same direction," he said.

Wallop said on occasion they should include input from private organisations.

Senator Sak Korsaengreung said to work effectively, the Senate speaker had to have a good image and the trust of the public. A neutral speaker would be able to guide the Upper House and make its checks on the government more efficient.

Sak said the public and the media should also monitor the Senate more carefully to ensure it is working responsibly.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation