Whips dump committee plan for charter

The chief coalition whip, MP Udomdej Ratanasathien from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, said the whips would continue with the original plan to seek amendment of Article 291 of the charter, to allow a new constitution drafting assembly to be set up.
Udomdej said the Ukrit panel’s proposal was “unfeasible” due to a lack of community participation. “Part of the CDA membership must be elected by the public in order to ensure acceptance.”
However, he said some charter drafters suggested by Ukrit’s government-appointed Independent National Rule and Law Commission (NRLC) – such as former charter writer Kanin Boonsuwan and Worachet Pakhirat from the Niti Rassadorn group of law lecturers – might |sit on the CDA as appointed |representatives from legal experts.
“According to an initial estimate, the constitutional amendments should take about 15 months – the first three months on amending Article 291, the next month or two on acquiring the CDA members, and the remaining eight to 10 months on drafting a new constitution and holding a public referendum,” Udomdej said.
Speaking at a press conference at Government House after the whips’ meeting, he said it should be clear by early next month who would submit a parliamentary motion for charter changes – the Cabinet, Pheu Thai MPs, or eligible voters from the public.
Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayathum and Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also criticised the Ukrit panel’s proposal yesterday for a panel to rewrite the charter. She said the drafters’ committee would fail to win acceptance from the public.
Sodsri proposed that in order to save state funds, the 77 elected senators representing every province should sit on the CDA and another 22 members be appointed from experts in law and political science.
She said a drafting assembly would be the best way to handle changes to the Constitution. She viewed the Ukrit panel proposal as an attempt to include people from parties involved in the political conflict, and did not think it would help end the division.
Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also voiced disagreement yesterday with the NRLC proposal, saying it could lead to confusion.
“If the government follows the proposal by the Ukrit committee, there will be confusion. People have no participation and the mistrust and conflict still smouldering will worsen,” said Abhisit, who heads the Democrat Party.
He also called on the prime minister to make a clear stance about contentious issues related to constitutional amendments.