Reform council won't aim for charter change: PM
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PRIME MINISTER Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday denied that her plan to convene a political-reform council would lead to a charter amendment.
“This forum will have a broader vision [than charter amendment]. For example, [it will consider] how Thailand can move forward in terms of political reform, and how we can live together in the future,” she said.
Yingluck also voiced support for former Senate speaker Ukrit Mongkolnavin’s idea of setting up a council of senior advisers and inviting Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda to join the reform council. But she said she could not set the whole agenda, and wanted to leave the discussions up to other participants
The premier said she wanted to invite opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and all “political coloured shirts” to join the forum.
However, the process of reform would be delayed to next week due to the second and third readings of the 2014 fiscal-budget bill debate in the House today and tomorrow, according to Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana.
The government previously planned to begin holding political-reform brainstorming sessions involving stakeholders on Friday.
Those who have agreed to join the forum so far include Ukrit; former prime minister and Chart Thai Pattana Party chief adviser Banharn Silapa-archa; former prime minister General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh; former House speaker Uthai Pimchaichon; Senate Speaker Nikhom Wairatpanij; Chart Pattana de facto leader and former deputy prime minister Suwat Liptapanlop; and Culture Minister and Phalang Chon Party leader Sontaya Kunplome.
Also agreeing to attend are former Democrat Party leader Bhichai Rattakul; opposition Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul; 2006 coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin; former Constitutional Court president Kramol Thongdhamchat; and the director of Mahidol University’s Research Centre for Peace Building, Gothom Arya.
