Chalerm denies charter amendments only meant for Thaksin

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, a heavyweight in the ruling Pheu Thai Party, said he did not think people would tolerate it if the amendment benefited just one person, as is feared by the opposition and critics. 

“This constitutional amendment is for people across the country. Different people may get different benefits, but I don’t think the public will be able to stand it if only one person benefits,” Chalerm said.

The veteran politician said he did not believe amending the Constitution would shorten the government’s life, adding that as long as it was not involved in any irregularities, it should be able to complete its four-year term. “If the government is corrupt, it won’t be able to stay on,” he said.

Chalerm went on to explain that it was his party’s policy to amend certain clauses, especially “dictatorial” ones like Article 309. The clause reads: “All acts are recognised in Thailand’s Interim Constitution of 2006 as lawful and constitutional, including acts incidental thereto whether performed prior to or subsequent to the date of the promulgation of this Constitution, shall be deemed constitutional under this Constitution”.

To many observers, this clause is aimed at protecting the makers of the 2006 coup from legal action. Many critics also warn that removing the clause could undermine the legal cases against Thaksin.

Yesterday, Chalerm also dismissed concerns that ruling politicians would influence the amendment by making its trusted people members of the new charter drafting committee. He said the committee members would be elected and that the government would possibly not be able to control the charter drafters. 

Regarding the ongoing debate on the pros and cons of amending Article 112 of the Penal Code, which is related to lese majeste, Chalerm said he believed this government was “smart enough to not amend the clause”.

“This government will heed the majority of the people before doing anything,” he added.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest sister, said yesterday that charter amendments were an issue involving the Parliament and that her government had not done anything about it. 

“This government will focus on helping people suffering from the recent floods,” she said, as she walked away ignoring questions related to constitutional amendments.

House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranond, who also hails from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, said yesterday that the party had not made any resolutions about amending the charter. “We support the idea in princible and will look into the matter after the New Year,” he said. 

Somsak, however, declined to say if Thaksin would benefit directly from the charter changes. “Let’s leave him out of this matter and amend the Constitution by adhering to democratic principles,” he said.

Meanwhile, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanavisit yesterday called on the government to publicly clarify what points in the Constitution it found problematic and how they should be amended. He also expressed concern that the new drafting committee would consist of the government insiders. 

Jurin, a key Democrat, said that his party’s stance against amending Article 309 remained unchanged. “We agree that amending the clause does not benefit the public as a whole,” he said, adding that he was convinced that the ultimate goal was to “solve the problems of just one person”.