Day two for charter change inquiry
The Constitution Court is on Friday to hear eight defence witnesses before concluding the inquiry on the charter amendment bill.
Should the high court find to have collected sufficient testimonies and evidence to form a decision, the verdict session will be scheduled later this afternoon.
Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmechai, also one of the bill co-sponsors, said former Supreme Administrative Court president Bhokin Bhalakula will be a star witness to rebut issues raised by opponents of charter change.
Bhokin will be the first witness testifying today.
Yesterday former charter writer Surapon Nitikraipot gave a compelling testimony against the bill.
His key argument is the Constitution was directly endorsed by the people through the referendum vote, hence in his opinion, Parliament has no mandate to undo the charter before receiving the people’s consent.
The defence witnesses include Samart, Bhokin, Council of State secretary general Achaporn Charuchinda, Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit.
The remaining witnesses are coalition chief whip Udomdej Ratanasatien, Chart Thai Pattana Party leader Chumpol Silapa-archa and his party’s MP Paradorn Prisanananthakul.
House speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont has decided to testify to the court in his own instead of dsignating counsel Wattana Sengpairoh to testify on his behalf as earlier reported.
