Major changes sought by Cabinet
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PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha and Cabinet proposed amendments yesterday to several controversial provisions in the new charter, such as the open-list electoral system for party-list MPs, the picking of senators and articles related to reform an
The proposals were submitted to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC).
The Cabinet has said it wants to abolish Article 105, which stipulates an open-list electoral system for MPs. Ministers also opposed Article 121 on the acquisition of senators, especially where it states that there should be an “Examination Committee for Senate candidates”.
The Cabinet is also opposing Article 130, which allows profiles of ministerial candidates to be scrutinised by senators and Article 147, which stipulates that no less than 40 senators can propose bills.
Many provisions of the draft charter also need to be amended or removed, the Cabinet noted.
It also said that Articles 282 to 296 on reform mechanisms and strategy should be removed because the framework for them was already written in Article 279, which calls for the setup of a National Reform Strategy Committee and National Reform Assembly.
These organisations are required to propose amendments to reform-related bills, monitor, assist and direct future administration in relation to reform and reconciliation. Cabinet also suggested that the CDC reconsider introducing a mixed-member proportional electoral system and see if the country would be better off sticking with the original electoral system used under the 2007 Charter. Prayut also submitted a document to the CDC, which states his views on the draft. He said the new constitution should reflect Thailand’s historical and cultural factors in order to offer a way out in case crises arise in the future. He said the charter should not be too long and its articles practical.
Cabinet also offered opinions and made several points, such as merging certain independent agencies that have overlapping responsibilities in order to tighten the budget. It also said certain articles put too much restriction on the administration, which may make executives too hesitant to make decisions, worrying that they might violate the charter, which would result in a lack of dynamism.
It also spoke against the introduction of “political groups” in the election, fearing that they would weaken parties or be used by parties as their nominees.
