How to get a charter that’s widely accepted?
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Since both the Democrats and Pheu Thai, who between them received the majority of votes at the last election, have opposed the draft charter, it is clear that, in a free and fair referendum, the Meechai draft should follow the Bowornsak draft into the dus
I suggest that the main reason for their failure is the people’s lack of involvement in the drafting of the finished product, and hence lack of commitment to it. As former prime minister Anand Panyarachun noted, “Democratic values are about how to reach a consensus, how to tolerate other people. These are core values that we have not tried to learn, to emulate or to understand.”
Not only did we not try to reach a consensus, but Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan also told us, “You can think, but don’t express your thoughts”, and ordered that charter critics undergo “attitude adjustment”.
I suggest we build on the charter that had the most public participation, the 1997 “People’s Constitution”, while encouraging inclusive, constructive public participation in updating and revising it to fit our long-term national goals. It should reflect our national vision and consensus for the next century, not just the next three years.
Let the 20th edition of the constitution be our last.
Burin Kantabutra
