CDC going public with charter ideas
Discussing charter content and reform, the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) wants to include five major topics as it solicits opinions: good politicians, good citizens, combating corruption, good elections and political participation.
Thawilwadee Bureekul, chairwoman of the CDC’s subcommittee on public participation and hearings, said yesterday that the first public meeting would be held in Suphan Buri on January 17 and 18. It would comprise 200 people randomly selected from central provinces adjoining Suphan Buri such as Chai Nat, Angthong, Lop Buri, Phetchaburi and Samut Songkhram.
Thawilwadee responded to reports that Chat Thai Pattana Party heavyweight Banharn Silapa-archa would attend the public hearing, saying he had the right to attend as an observer.
Lt-General Nakhon Sukprasert, a member of the subcommittee, said Banharn was a respected figure in Suphan Buri. He could attend as an observer but he would be asked not to address the panel or talk to those selected to join the meeting.
He said the CDC had already received the opinion of the Chat Thai Pattana Party and this stage was provided for others who had not aired their thoughts and proposals.
Thawilwadee said more public hearings would be arranged in 10 provinces to nurture public participation in the charter-drafting and reform processes.
She said a team of analysts would summarise information after the public hearing. If the public provided different proposals and opinions from those of the CDC, the information would be merged into the content and essence to be used in drafting the charter.
If the public provided the same or similar proposals to those of the CDC, they would be included in writing the charter, she said.
CDC chairman Borwornsak Uwanno will preside over the opening of the public hearing in Suphan Buri.
