File photo for reference only

 

In a recent development regarding Thailand's constitutional rewrite, Nikorn Chamnong, secretary of the joint House-Senate panel on the referendum bill, has stated that three referendums are required for a complete overhaul of the 2017 constitution. This statement challenges the claim made by People’s Party list MP Parit Wacharasindhu, who argued that only two referendums would be sufficient. Parit believed he had the backing of Parliament President Wan Muhammad Noor Matha for his proposal.

 

Nikorn clarified that a Constitutional Court ruling from March 2021 dictates the need for at least three referendums for a comprehensive reworking of the constitution. This ruling stands firm despite any discussions between Wan and Parit, who heads the House Committee on Political Development, Mass Communication, and Public Participation.

 

Parit convened a meeting with Wan, aiming to speed up the referendum process, hoping to have a new constitution crafted by a charter-drafting assembly (CDA) ready before the next General Election. He argued that limiting the referendums to two would be crucial for sticking to this timeline.

 

 

Nikorn countered, stating, “The meeting can’t lower the number of referendums because the court ruling applies to Parliament… the Parliament president would face a complaint if he bows to pressure for him to put charter amendment bills on the agenda prematurely.”

 

Nikorn also reminded the People's Party of a previous failed attempt to amend the charter in 2021, pointing out that objections by the military-appointed Senate led to a court ruling request before the bill's third reading. He warned that similar hindrances could arise during the first reading this time, potentially delaying the entire process.

 

After his meeting with Wan, Parit plans to prompt party MPs to submit a new charter amendment bill. This will enable the government, opposition, and Senate whips to reassess the number of referendums needed. Parit claims to possess new insights that might convince the whips that two referendums are enough, arguing that the 2021 court ruling didn’t specify an exact number but insisted only that a referendum must occur before any charter rewrite. Consequently, he believes that two rounds could be sufficient.

 

-- 2024-11-28

 

 

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Nikorn also reminded the People's Party of a previous failed attempt to amend the charter in 2021, pointing out that objections by the military-appointed Senate led to a court ruling request before the bill's third reading. He warned that similar hindrances could arise during the first reading this time, potentially delaying the entire process

Can't agree on the colour of .....

12 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

three referendums are required for a complete overhaul of the 2017 constitution.

 

 

They plan to rewrite the constitution ?

What do they want to change this time ?

Thaksin will dictate and they will write ...?

Anything for the power elite to maintain the status quo.