Panel on Constitution changes convenes
The 45-member panel tasked with vetting the charter amendment bill held its first meeting yesterday and elected Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmechai as chairman.
The panel, which is comprised of senators as well as coalition and opposition MPs, has 30 days to finish scrutinising the bill before the second and third readings are held to pave the way for the formation of the Constitution Drafting Assembly.
The chairman’s deputies are Senator Somchart Phanphat, Democrat MP Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, Pheu Thai MP Phiraphan Phalusuk and Bhum Jai Thai Party’s Ruangsak Ngarmsompak.
Before the panel convened, Democrat MP Suthas Ngernmuen called for the vetting of draft provisions to spell out a clear framework on charter change.
The charter rewrite should not touch on provisions related to the monarchy and independent organisations, he said, adding that the panel should make sure the CDA does not have the ulterior motive of amending the charter for partisan and vested interests.
