Cabinet nods proposal on appointing charter-rewrite panel
The Cabinet yesterday accepted a five-point proposal from the Independent National Rule of Law Commission, one of which is to appoint a committee to amend the charter without having to amend Article 291 of the Constitution.
Government spokesman Anusorn Aimsaard said the Cabinet accepted the suggestion from Ukrit Mongkolnavin, chairman of the commission, that it was unnecessary to amend section 291 of the Constitution to allow the setting up of a Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA).
However, the Cabinet resolved to amend section 291 to allow the Cabinet to appoint a charter-writing committee so as to complete the charter amendment within 60 days and table the amendment for approval by Parliament.
Anusorn said the Cabinet also accepted the Ukrit committee’s proposal for stricter enforcement of the Computer Offences Act 2007 in connection with Section 112 of the Criminal Code – which covers lese-majeste cases – as more offences are being committed, causing social and political impacts. The Royal Thai Police will improve legal procedures in relation to lese-majeste cases and will carry out every step of the legal procedure confidentially, Anusorn said.
Former appointed senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana said the Ukrit committee’s proposal to appoint a 34-member charter writer committee must be approved by Parliament.
Ruangkrai said senators, both elected and appointed, agreed with the proposal to have all Senators elected and allow the current appointed Senators to complete their term. He added that the proposal from Pheu Thai MPs not to have any senators would be opposed by senators, thus closing the door on amendment of the charter.
The Cabinet also instructed related agencies to enforce laws in a fair manner in regard to suspects’ rights to get a temporary release as guaranteed by the Constitution.
