'CDC did not lobby NRC'

Earlier, NRC member Wanchai Sornsiri had claimed that some drafters had lobbied for the NRC to accept the charter draft – an act that is deemed to compromise the NRC’s independence. 

Lertrat said Wanchai was voicing his personal views, which did not represent the views of all 249 NRC members. He added that the NRC members were mature enough to have their own judgement and decision. 

“I don’t know what was actually said. I did not lobby anyone and see no point in doing so. We [CDC and NRC members] know each other, so there is no need to do anything,” the CDC spokesman said, adding that the media should not exaggerate and stir conflicts. 

Lertrat said the CDC had taken into account the principles of the 1997 and 2007 constitutions when deliberating on some changes proposed by other agencies. He said he expected the new constitution to have 315 Articles, adding that the CDC would formulate another 12 organic laws. 

The CDC spokesman said the charter drafters had already agreed to remove the controversial section about two-thirds of the Judicial Commission being made up of non-judges. 

Meanwhile, the CDC went through the draft charter for a third day yesterday and discussed articles concerning media. It also agreed to change the word “welfare” to “safety” to better reflect the media’s needs.