Pheu Thai says it's ready to offer ideas for new charter

The CDC had requested the party’s cooperation.

But Pheu Thai expressed concerns over the National Council for Peace and Order’s ban on political gatherings, saying it affected the party’s ability to discuss the issue.

“The Pheu Thai Party is pleased to cooperate and take part in providing views regarding the drafting of the new constitution in order make it most democratic and in order [that the charter] can be a guarantee for justice for the country and people from all sides in accordance to what the party and the international community adhere to and accept,” it said in a letter to the committee.

The party also urged the CDC to coordinate with the NCPO and the Election Commission to allow party members to meet in order to discuss the charter. 

It also stated that it believed that the sovereign power belonged to the people and the party had faith in the democratic system with His Majesty the King as head of the state. 

The party concluded by saying it awaited the reply and the date for the meeting with the CDC.

The Democrat, Palang Chon and Bhum Jai Thai parties have also expressed willingness to meet with the CDC, committee spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said.

He said it was likely that the Pheu Thai Party would want to defer its meeting from Monday to early December. 

The Democrat Party would meet with the CDC on November 24.

 

Taking a positive stance

“We think positively but must accept that the political stances of some groups are in opposition to this political change, so it becomes a hindrance,” he said. “But we will try to carry out the duty to the best of our ability.” 

As for the request to have the CDC contact the junta to seek permission to allow political parties to meet, Kamnoon said the committee would not do that because it was not duty-bound to so, while the government and the NCPO had asked parties wishing to meet to seek permission from the junta.