'More democratic' charter wanted
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Coalition partners in Yingluck Shinawatra's government declared their intention yesterday to amend the 2007 charter, saying they want to make it more democratic.
They insisted, however, that the fact they had made their intention clear on Constitution Day had no hidden message whatsoever.
Representatives from coalition partners met for 10 minutes at Parliament before making the announcement. They aim to come up with a detailed resolution to be adopted on December 21.
A suggestion was also made to launch a public campaign to amend the current charter, which was written under the military-backed Surayud administration.
Varathep Ratanakorn, PM’s Office Minister and secretary to the coalition parties, held a press conference after the meeting with other figures such as Phumtham Wechayachai, secretary of Pheu Thai Party; government whip Udomdej
Rattanasathien; Deputy PM and Chart Thai Pattana Party leader Chumpol Silapa-archa; Industry Minister Prasert Boonchaisuk; and Palang Chon MP Santisak Charuen-ngampichaet.
The group, which describes itself as the coalition committee to study ways to amend Article 291 of the charter, also includes Pheu Thai Party leader Jaruphong Ruangsuwan.
Jaruphong read a statement saying that for Thai society to achieve a “legitimate and democratic” constitution that would ensure the rule of law, peace and security, the coalition parties would like to announce their intention on the 80th anniversary of Constitution Day that they would assiduously and collectively protect the democratic process with His Majesty the King as head of state.”
Second, the group stated that the Constitution, which is the highest law of the land, must come from the people and through the people’s participation in the drafting and endorsement process.
Third, the group said the Constitution must protect the rights and liberty of Thai citizens and enable people to participate in governance and fully scrutinise all the power of the state and its organisations, while the political structure must be made more stable and effective.
Chumpol added that he and his party stood ready to support the amendment of the charter to make it more democratic, even though Chart Thai Pattana had yet to decide whether to support the writing of a completely new charter or just amend the current Constitution.
He declined to go into detail as to which articles in the current charter the party finds problematic and undemocratic, saying only that it would be up to those who are tasked with amending or drafting of a new charter.
The working group will meet again this afternoon at Pheu Thai headquarters to try to come up with a detailed proposal, ready before the House reconvenes on December 21.
The group said the Interior Ministry should play a role in launching the campaign to amend the charter.
In a related development, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranond said Constitution Day was an important day for democracy – and there could be no democracy without a charter.
