Ruling Coalition Partners Reach Agreement on Charter Amendment

UPDATE : 20 January 2010

Ruling coalition partners Bhum Jai Thai and Chat Thai Pattana parties have agreed to amend articles 190 and 94 of the 2007 Constitution.

They are confident they will be able to get enough votes in Parliament to push through the amendment.

Pheu Thai MP Chairman Chalerm Yoobumrung said his party will not vote for the charter amendment.

-- Tan Network 2010-01-20

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Banharn, Newin join force to push for two charter amendments

The two de facto leaders of the Char Thai Pattana Party and Bhum Jai Thai Party agreed Wednesday to push for two charter amendments without waiting for support of the coalition-leader Democrat Party.

Chart Thai Pattana chief advisor Banharn Silapa-Archa and Newin Chidchob, the de facto leader of Bhum Jai Thai, agreed to amend the electoral system from multiple-seat constituencies to single-seat constituencies.

They also plan to amend Article 190 to lift the requirement for the government to seek parliamentary approval before signing foreign contracts.

-- The Nation 2010-01-20

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Below is a link to an article from The Nation in 2007 which discusses multi seat constituencies and single seat constituencies.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/11...al_30029001.php

It's a lot cheaper to buy votes in a single seat constituency.

It's a lot cheaper to buy votes in a single seat constituency.

There was a time on TV when this would have been the biggest news of the day. It still is, just not here.

This will allow Banharn and Newin to pick off seats in parliament in Isaan that would have gone to the Puea Thai Party. Since I don't see them making their stands in traditionally strong Democrat areas, it will weaken Thaksin's party. It will be interesting.

Business as usual.