Cabinet Endorses Proposed Charter Changes

BANGKOK: -- The government will seek amendments on the two points of the Constitution concerning Parliament's role in considering international compacts and the election system.

Deputy Government Spokesperson Watchra Kanikar stated today's Cabinet meeting agreed to seek amendments on two out of the six points of the Constitution as presented by the House committee on political reform and national reconciliation.

The proposed amendments are for Article 190, which requires any international agreement to be endorsed by Parliament, and articles 93 to 98, which concern the election system.

The panel proposed to revive the one MP constituency in place of the present three MPs-constituency.

The three other points suggested to be revised are the selection of senators, a ban on lawmakers from meddling in the work of civil servants, and the party dissolution penalty.

Another suggested point is the prohibition of MPs or senators from working as secretaries or advisers to a minister.

The Cabinet dismissed this recommendation on its rewrite.

Watchara said the prime minister did not make a decision on these three points as there are still differing viewpoints on the matters, particularly the clause on party disbandment.

He said seeking a revision could be seen as helping the ruling Democrat Party escape its dissolution cases.

He said all government coalition parties have agreed on pushing for the amendments on the first two points.

The prime minister has asked them to present their viewpoints at the Cabinet meeting on November 16.

Watchra also stated the prime minister has assigned the political reform panel to present a more detailed draft amendment of all six points, particularly the two that the Cabinet approved today.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-02

imagine the power these guys weild----------an mp and a sec to a minister-----------jesus you could park your car anywhere