No shame in reviving 1997 charter
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Re: Let's just revive the 1997 'People's constitution', Letters, May 1, 2015.
I definitely agree with Burin Kantabutra that the 1997 constitution was the best that we have ever had. And that we should bring it back to use.
No matter how hard the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) tries to write a new constitution that will best fit the people and the country of Thailand, it will still come short of the 1997 charter’s standard.
The 1997 charter has proved to be both comprehensive and effective. It truly deserves to be called ‘The People’s constitution’.
During the nine-year period of its use, the 1997 version provided the country with strong independent agencies to keep wayward politicians at bay.
A good example is Thaksin Shinawatra. During his heyday, Thaksin tried time and again to take advantage of the system by attempting to neutralise these agencies, but in the end it was he who met with failure. The charter was too strong for any one smart person to conquer.
Hence, to bring back the 1997 Constitution to use will not only save us money and time, but provide us with the best charter there ever was.
Vint Chavala
Bangkok
