Drafters in Pattaya to begin political debate

Many people are calling on the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) to seriously consider the opinions and viewpoints offered by members of different sectors or institutions in order to avoid problems in the future.
The drafters are scheduled to begin their five-day meeting today to come up with a chapter on political system, politicians and political parties.
Regardless of which proposals they decide to add to the charter next week, they are still likely to earn criticism from the country’s wider political spectrum.
Not only will they face opposition from the public and political parties, certain proposals on political reform have also met with fierce resistance from some NRC members.
Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, chief of NRC’s panel on political reform, said he will closely monitor CDC’s progress, adding that charter drafters “need to listen to public opinion, not just opinions they prefer, but to all with open-mindedness”.
He said some of CDC’s proposals contradict those made by the NRC’s panel on political reform, such that one on choosing the country’s PM. CDC rejected NRC’s idea to have the premier to be directly elected.
The charter drafters have recently had rows with members of the NRC, especially those from Sombat’s committee, as their ideas are clearly contradictory.
However, the one thing they cannot deny is that eventually the job of running the country will be left to politicians, who will have the power to amend laws, and they will have to act within the rules set by charter drafters.
Hence, it is not possible to ignore their voices, because they can provide credible opinions on the implementation of the charter drafters’ ideas and their insight on the practical aspect of different political systems and rules are, therefore, invaluable.
Former Democrat MP Nipit Intrasombat called on CDC to “consider our proposals and opinions because we are the ones who will practice according to the rules. If they don’t listen, there may be problems in implementation, hence, reform cannot take place or be considered successful. They are idealistic, but can their ideas be used in practice? They need to listen if they want us to follow.”
Last week, former Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmeechai warned charter drafters to not write rules based on prejudice or paranoia.
Chart Thai Pattana’s chief adviser Nikorn Jamnong said that though CDC’s proposals aimed to solve the ongoing problems, he said he was worried these proposals might make matters worse and asked if CDC members did truly trust the voting system. Representatives from the two parties were speaking at a CDC seminar that all 33 political parties had been invited to so they could exchange opinions.
Despite much disagreement among political parties, NRC and CDC member Paiboon Nititawan said that it was unavoidable for them to be dissatisfied because the new provisions were designed to reduce their powers.
However, Sujit Boonbongkarn, chairman of CDC’s subcommittee on political leaders and institutions, denied that the charter drafter’s agenda was to weaken political parties. He pointed out that there were by-laws containing provisions on the development of parties and political system, giving way to good politicians and a strong citizens sector.
Ultimately though, Paiboon said, “it would be up to CDC members to decide” on the most appropriate political system that can be put in place to solve the country’s problems.
Many CDC members seem to share Paiboon’s idea that politicians should receive a significant share of the blame for events that led to the country’s political crisis and they are expected to be dissatisfied because their power will be reduced. However, this should not become an excuse for charter drafters to ignore advice, such as the provision to create a “superpower” Senate, and to feel entitled to impose their opinions on others.
Besides, many CDC members have repeatedly said that all opinions collected from political parties will be considered.
CDC member Nakarin Mektrairat cited the fact that CDC has taken into account Democrat Party’s recommendations on the appointment of speakers and deputy speakers for the House of Representatives as well as ideas on the impeachment process.
Asked if CDC members were worried that contradicting ideas between some members of the NRC and the CDC might lead to the new charter being turned down by the NRC, Paiboon said: “Both CDC and NRC members are just doing their jobs. They have the right to have contradicting ideas, though NRC needs to look at the overall picture, not just one section for them to approve or reject in the new constitution.”
Paiboon belongs to both commissions.
CDC has until late April to finish drafting the new charter and hand it over to the NRC, which will then give recommendations for amendments.