DPM Wissanu reacts to Constitution Court ruling on charter rewrite

[webfact]

DPM Wissanu reacts to Constitution Court ruling on charter rewrite
Praphorn Praphornkul

BANGKOK (NNT) - With Parliament split on whether or not to proceed, after the Constitution Court ruled it has the authority to rewrite the charter if a referendum is held first, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has given his recommendation that a third reading take place and be allowed to conclude naturally.

The DPM acknowledged legal issues with the motion but said he has yet to review the entire court ruling. He indicated that the Speaker of the House of Representatives has already made further readings part of the agenda on March 17 and gave his opinion that the matter should be allowed to conclude in Parliament, even if it faces problems such as lacking a quorum, abstentions in voting or votes against. He admitted there is a possibility the motion may be condemned but remarked it would be best if a vote took place.

On the referendum, Wissanu said it could take place as soon as the Referendum Act takes effect. The draft is currently in its second reading but can be put to use as soon as it is published in the Royal Gazette without having to wait 90 days.

Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn, who participated in the request for a Constitution Court ruling, said today that while redrafting of the charter has been supported, it does not necessarily have to lead to the formation of a drafting commission. He said the formation could wait until the referendum takes place while indicating he views the past readings of the motion to amend the constitution as problematic as they preceded any vote.

The senator stated that Parliament should consider the court ruling when it decides how to proceed on March 17 as it can’t hold a referendum while proceeding with a third reading of the motion, which contains language that could be construed as redrafting the charter.

 

-- © Copyright NNT 2021-03-15

 

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[RichardColeman]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

and gave his opinion that the matter should be allowed to conclude in Parliament, even if it faces problems such as lacking a quorum, abstentions in voting or votes against.

Votes against ? Wants it done where it has no chance of defeat rather than put it out where it could ? Says a lot to me, but nothing we didn't already know

[sammieuk1]

A charter where someone shouts Mr DPM without half the country standing up would be nice but this particular DPM has lost me ????

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

With Parliament split on whether or not to proceed

this whole thing is a sham; will never conclude in time for next election, then the election will take precedence, new parliament, rinse and repeat

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Votes against ? Wants it done where it has no chance of defeat rather than put it out where it could ? Says a lot to me, but nothing we didn't already know

Or put it another way, he will find a way to ensure nothing changes that will/could disrupt the current set up which basically guarantees himself as PM with very strong & powerful support from the military in the form of how the senate is chosen, etc.

[ThailandRyan]

Will they be serving Corned Beef and Cabbage with green beer is the more important question for the 17th.  It is after all St. Patricks day.  A few green beers would make the reading and internal voting go smoootthhhhllllyyyyy.......

[mikebell]

Heads or tails.  Let's make it the best of 379 tosses.

[Scott Tracy]

It beggars belief that a parliament cannot change a constitution. A constitution written in such a manner that a previous, no longer applicable entity was the only body that could change it is no longer valid. The body is extinct, the constitution cannot be valid, thus it must be changed.

A  court ruling stating that a referendum is necessary before parliament can authorise itself to change the constitution is madness. If the referendum fails to authorise Parliament to change the constitution, then what? It will never change until the next coup?

 

[mtls2005]

It is interesting that they were able to change the consitution after it was approved in a tightly controlled referendum, quite quickly and efficiently.

 

Now? OMG, it's going to take years through a hugely complicated process. 

 

Amazing, isn't it.

 

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

3 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

It is interesting that they were able to change the consitution after it was approved in a tightly controlled referendum, quite quickly and efficiently.

 

Now? OMG, it's going to take years through a hugely complicated process. 

 

Amazing, isn't it.

 

 

 

Yes This is Amazing Thailand.  What's good for the goose is not always good for the gander.  Draw the correlation however you may.  The Thai's have had their hands tied by this group in power and that is why there are the protests occurring.