Charter amendments to be put to Parliament next week

By The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government would put a motion to the Parliament next Tuesday that would propose amending two aspects of the Constitution.

Abhisit said the Cabinet approved the proposal for changes to the electoral system and the requirement that international agreements be backed by the Parliament, as proposed by a committee led by Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, president of the National Institute of Development Administration.

Abhisit said he turned down further changes proposed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban dismissed speculation yesterday about rifts in the Democrat Party related to the proposed charter amendments.

“What happened was an airing of various views in the party executive meeting, but no conclusion was drawn and the debate will continue next week,” he said.

Suthep spoke in regard to Monday’s party meeting during which Democrat adviser Banyat Bantadtan urged that the amendments be put on hold, arguing the timing was not right.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva countered, however, that the process to amend the charter should be activated within the current House session in order to foil any attempt to deny him an option to dissolve the House and call a snap election.

If there was a political impasse, it could trigger a coup, he said.

What Abhisit and Banyat said at the meeting was an exchange of opinions on the timing, and should not be construed as a party split, Suthep said.

He said the Democrats would rally behind the coalition government to amend the charter even though the rewriting process might take time.

The push to activate the charter rewrite by this month was on track, he said, insisting there was no change of plan.

Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri, a Democrat proportionate MP, said it was normal for party MPs to have different opinions on whether to keep large constituencies or change to a one-MP one-constituency system. However, things would be resolved when they vote.

Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silapa-archa, the Chart Thai Pattana Party leader, said each party had its own resolution. But the final decision would be according to the majority votes by MPs and senators in Parliament.

He said the outcome was uncertain until it reached the final stages as MPs and senators might change their mind after listening to arguments made during the debate.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob said once the Parliament considered charter amendments, legislators would consider every issue of drafted charter amendments, including the one proposed by red-shirt leader weng Tojirakarn.

-- The Nation 2010-11-17

No doubt the charter needs revision and I'm sure within the confines of disputes and beneficiaries regarding outcome, a result will be achieved and most likely prior to election. Interesting to see the changes listed if and when.

PAD said no amendment. PAD is the boss. Or at least WAS the boss.

How about adding to the charter to make vote buying illegal thus stopping a democracy by money?

How about adding to the charter to make vote buying illegal thus stopping a democracy by money?

Vote buying is already illegal, that's why the PPP was disbanded.