'Two-thirds of MPs must back charter amendment'
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THE NEW constitution should only be amended if two-thirds of MPs vote in favour of an amendment in order to make altering the charter harder, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday.
A charter that can be amended too easily would lead to political conflicts, explained Wissanu.
The deputy premier said some groups were trying to meet with him to discuss issues under the new charter that they disagreed with and he was willing to meet and listen to all of them or facilitate a meeting with charter drafters.
Wissanu added, however, that in the end the Constitution Drafting Committee would have the final say on the charter, adding that even CDC members disagreed on certain issues.
Wissanu said he had heard through the media that the Election Commission, whose role and responsibilities would be reduced under the new charter, was one of the groups that wanted to meet with him but he declined to confirm that or confirm the names of the other groups.
Asked by reporters about polls that pointed to public disapproval regarding the main elements of the new charter, Wissanu said people should wait and consider the results from other polls as well. On the criticism that the new charter would escalate political conflicts, Wissanu said he had no idea about that but thought it unlikely.
He added that it was impossible to draft a constitution that satisfied everyone.
Wissanu also urged those who criticised the new electoral system, adapted from the German system, not to call it a German system, adding that if the system was to the satisfaction of society, it should be adapted to suit the local context.
Meanwhile, former Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai Samart Kaewmeechai warned that those drafting the charter should be held responsible if the electoral system, which he described as confusing, led to political chaos.
Samart predicted that confusion would reign as political parties and political groups could nominate candidates, leading to many wasted ballot papers.
The former MP added that the new rule, which does not require MPs to follow the party line, would paralyse a government and could eventually lead to a future military coup.
In a related development, the CDC has announced that Microsoft (Thailand) will produce a song, free of charge, promoting the sense of ownership for the new constitution and disseminate it to the public.
