CDC defends inclusion of some groups
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The CONSTITUTION Drafting Committee yesterday attempted to allay fears that by recognising political-interest groups, the new constitution would bring about a fresh round of political crisis.
Chai Chidchob, a member of the National Reform Council (NRC), warned that the country could be destroyed by these groups, as the new constitution would allow them to participate in the parliamentary system.
It was the fourth day for the NRC to comment on the draft charter. The focus was on the parliamentary system. Many NRC members voiced concerns that certain clauses in the charter would weaken future governments.
Chai, a former Parliament president, said the election of representatives was critical to the country.
Since the political system was changed to a constitutional monarchy, there has never been a stipulation that such political groups could participate in the parliamentary system. Past coups were due to political conflicts caused by interest groups.
“We have seen that for more than 10 years political conflicts have emerged from political groups, so there is no need to give political groups opportunities to participate. Political parties are enough,” he said.
Even though political parties are difficult to control and scrutinise, there will still be corruption and vote-buying issues if political groups happen to be in the parliamentary system, Chai warned. “How can they be scrutinised?”
Two big political groups – the People’s Democratic Reform Committee and the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship – will cause more conflicts and crises for the country in the future, he said.
“I guarantee that if this constitution comes into force this way, these two groups will destroy the country completely,” he said.
Lertrat Ratanavanich, spokesman for the CDC, said political-interest groups would have to abide by the regulations governing political parties.
Such groups have various interests, and not just in the political area.
The political movements on the street might not cover all the political groups that Chai referred to.
If political-interest groups want to participate in Parliament, they must abide by the law and register their group according to the law before participating further in politics.
The “political group” in the charter referred to “political-interest group”, which are groups that are interested in many areas, he added.
Another charter drafter, Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, said many reformers voiced concerns, particularly over the perceived intent of the charter to reduce the authority of the political sector and weaken it as well.
The CDC is trying to strike a better balance that differs from past charters, such as stating that those who are corrupt are not eligible to run for the House of Representatives or Senate and that ministers and prime ministers can be scrutinised by the Constitution Court.
All this was meant to give back a balance to Thai society.
“We do not believe it will be a risk,” he said. “We do not want to create a system that makes the government weak. Rather, what we don’t want is for the government to be too strong.”
