Two Draft Thai Charter Changes Approved

[webfact]

CHARTER REVIEW

Two draft charter changes approved

By THE NATION

The parliamentary meeting on amending the Constitution turned into chaos yesterday after Pheu Thai MPs boycotted a joint vetting committee, although the majority of participants approved the two amendment drafts proposed by the Cabinet in the first reading.

After the government-sponsored draft seeking changes to the election system was approved, a group of defecting MPs from the opposition Pheu Thai Party nominated seven members to the party's quota in the vetting panel, prompting strong objections from other Pheu Thai MPs.

The parliamentary meeting voted for the Cabinet's proposed draft of the Constitution amendment related to the election system - by 330-156 votes, with 34 MPs and senators abstaining.

The draft was the third of four voted on yesterday. Earlier drafts proposed by anti-government red-shirt leader weng Tojirakarn, mostly supported by Pheu Thai MPs and 102 MPs from coalition parties, were dropped as they received fewer than the required 310 votes.

Pheu Thai MPs, led by Opposition chief whip Wittaya Buranasiri and MP Chonlanan Srikaew, stood by the party's decision to boycott the joint vetting panel.

They objected to the MPs who defected and used their quotas to join in activities with other parties.

The maximum number of members on the law-deliberation panel is normally 45. But the number was reduced to 24 for the first time, and opposition MPs questioned whether the reduced number was because the defecting MPs could fill in the party's quota while most Pheu Thai MPs boycotted the panel.

Senators also expressed disappointment about the number. They said the Senate was supposed to get 11 panel members but they learned only a few hours before the nomination that the total number of panel members was reduced to 24.

The Cabinet's other amendment draft seeking changes to Article 190, regarding the requirement for parliamentary approval for international agreements, sailed through with 354 votes for, 19 against and 17 abstentions. After the voting, a 45-member vetting committee was set up consisting of senators and MPs from coalition parties, without any Pheu Thai MPs.

The joint meeting of the two Houses last night voted to exempt the appointment of the panel from a parliamentary regulation requiring a vetting committee to consist of representatives from all political parties in Parliament.

And to solve the problem regarding the size of the vetting panel for the amendment on the electoral system, the joint meeting voted to cancel the 24-member committee appointed earlier and agreed to use the 45-member vetting panel for Article 190.

The meeting chairman, Chai Chidchob, declared the debate adjourned shortly after 10pm.

Deliberation of the draft by the parliamentary panel is the crucial next step towards the law change.

Despite split opinions, the Democrat Party resolved to vote for changes to the electoral system, including the requirement of parliamentary endorsement before making international agreements.

Ratchaburi MP Preechaya Kham-charoen abstained on the issue of changing the voting system to single MP constituencies.

Senior Democrats who formerly opposed the charter change, including Chuan Leekpai and Banyat Bantadtan, approved the principle of the draft, but not Nipon Wisityutthasart.

Democrat MP Somkiat Pongpaibul, a leader of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, voted against Weng's draft and did not vote for the other drafts.

Having received the supporting votes of fewer than half the total number of parliamentarians - 310 - the first two drafts in effect failed to pass the first reading.

In a related development, a royal decree was issued yesterday to close the current parliamentary legislative session on Monday, November 29, after the session's end on Sunday.

-- The Nation 2010-11-26

[mccw]

Interesting split in the ptp, while The dems seem to of got on along with it despite thier differring oppinions.

[Robby nz]

PTP would appear to be falling apart.

Be interesting to see if they can hold it together for or after an election.

And if there are defections which direction the go.

Also be interesting to see what happens with Jatapurn and his mate after parliamentry immunity ends on Monday.

[Buchholz]

PTP would appear to be falling apart.

Be interesting to see if they can hold it together for or after an election.

And if there are defections which direction the go.

Also be interesting to see what happens with Jatapurn and his mate after parliamentry immunity ends on Monday.

The Pheu Thai Party is threatening to expel the six Pheu Thai Party MP's, who joined the vetting committee, from the Party.

In addition to all the other troubles facing the Pheu Thai Party (one of which is it'll be a race to see if they can appoint a Party Leader who actually wants to be Party Leader this year), they'll be another half dozen down in the next election.

[phiphidon]

PTP would appear to be falling apart.

Be interesting to see if they can hold it together for or after an election.

And if there are defections which direction the go.

Also be interesting to see what happens with Jatapurn and his mate after parliamentry immunity ends on Monday.

The Pheu Thai Party is threatening to expel the six Pheu Thai Party MP's, who joined the vetting committee, from the Party.

In addition to all the other troubles facing the Pheu Thai Party (one of which is it'll be a race to see if they can appoint a Party Leader who actually wants to be Party Leader this year), they'll be another half dozen down in the next election.

Can someone explain to me how an MP who has already changed parties to Bhumjahithai, can nominate 6 PTP MP's to join a vetting committee, especially as one of them, MP Kitti Somsap, wasn't even aware he had been nominated because he was at a dental appointment? MP Kiti Somsap learnt of his "nomination" after being called back to the chamber and has asked for his "nomination" to be withdrawn and for action to be taken against the defected MP, Piyarut Muengsaen.

[random]

Democrat MP Somkiat Pongpaibul, a leader of the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy, voted against Weng's draft and did not vote for the other drafts.

Still in bed with each other despite what others think, this guy along with kasit, I am sure there are others.

[jdinasia]

The most important news other than even more rifts in PTP ---- is that the decree was issued for Nov 29th that will completely end Jatuporn's parliamentary immunity.

[Buchholz]

PTP would appear to be falling apart.

Be interesting to see if they can hold it together for or after an election.

And if there are defections which direction the go.

Also be interesting to see what happens with Jatapurn and his mate after parliamentry immunity ends on Monday.

The Pheu Thai Party is threatening to expel the six Pheu Thai Party MP's, who joined the vetting committee, from the Party.

In addition to all the other troubles facing the Pheu Thai Party (one of which is it'll be a race to see if they can appoint a Party Leader who actually wants to be Party Leader this year), they'll be another half dozen down in the next election.

Can someone explain to me how an MP who has already changed parties to Bhumjahithai, can nominate 6 PTP MP's to join a vetting committee, especially as one of them, MP Kitti Somsap, wasn't even aware he had been nominated because he was at a dental appointment? MP Kiti Somsap learnt of his "nomination" after being called back to the chamber and has asked for his "nomination" to be withdrawn and for action to be taken against the defected MP, Piyarut Muengsaen.

One gets the distinct impression that they wanted to join the committees with the exception of Kitti.

That impression is gained by none of the other MP's from PTP objected to the appointment as well as their being threatened with expulsion from the Party for being on the committee.

Why else would the Party do that if they didn't want to be on the committee? If they had been forced or duped into it, why punish them?

.

Edited November 26, 2010 by Buchholz

[hammered]

Hugely amusing watching a party that is only held together by one distant man fall into disunity as they have no parliamentary leader and cant select one without causing factions to leave. That by the way is why everything PTP and red will only be about Thaksin. Without him as a unifying figure the PTP and reds quickly split into several groups and lose opportunity of gaining power which is all any of the PTP and red bigwigs care about. Realpolitik

I see the newspapers still havent worked out that small single seat constituencies are more democratic than large multi seat ones if you believe in representative constituency democracy.

[jdinasia]

Hugely amusing watching a party that is only held together by one distant man fall into disunity as they have no parliamentary leader and cant select one without causing factions to leave. That by the way is why everything PTP and red will only be about Thaksin. Without him as a unifying figure the PTP and reds quickly split into several groups and lose opportunity of gaining power which is all any of the PTP and red bigwigs care about. Realpolitik

I see the newspapers still havent worked out that small single seat constituencies are more democratic than large multi seat ones if you believe in representative constituency democracy.

Good post --- and the facts are painfully clear to most people that have ANY knowledge of Thailand.

[phiphidon]

Hugely amusing watching a party that is only held together by one distant man fall into disunity as they have no parliamentary leader and cant select one without causing factions to leave. That by the way is why everything PTP and red will only be about Thaksin. Without him as a unifying figure the PTP and reds quickly split into several groups and lose opportunity of gaining power which is all any of the PTP and red bigwigs care about. Realpolitik

I see the newspapers still havent worked out that small single seat constituencies are more democratic than large multi seat ones if you believe in representative constituency democracy.

Good post --- and the facts are painfully clear to most people that have ANY knowledge of Thailand.

In two previous party discussions the majority of Democrats had agreed that the multi - seat constituency was the way to go as they reasoned that with larger constituencies vote buying was harder to achieve due to the larger number of voters. The minor coalition parties disagreed. Come the day, the Democrats cater to the coalition parties and do a u-turn. Single seat consituencies win the day. Democrats happy as their power base is in Bangkok amongst middle class voters who supposedly are less susceptible to vote buying. Minor coalition parties happy as their power base is in the rural north where smaller constituencies are easier to manipulate. But then thats just my opinion and probably have no knowledge of Thailand.

[animatic]

Hugely amusing watching a party that is only held together by one distant man fall into disunity as they have no parliamentary leader and cant select one without causing factions to leave. That by the way is why everything PTP and red will only be about Thaksin. Without him as a unifying figure the PTP and reds quickly split into several groups and lose opportunity of gaining power which is all any of the PTP and red bigwigs care about. Realpolitik

I see the newspapers still havent worked out that small single seat constituencies are more democratic than large multi seat ones if you believe in representative constituency democracy.

Good post --- and the facts are painfully clear to most people that have ANY knowledge of Thailand.

A steady progression into the abyss since his money alone is not enough

to maintain order through the family proxies. Possibly because he won't

spend the money without guarantees of loyalty and control, and it seems loyalty comes at a higher price post Songkran Dabacle II.

Clearly this is yet a 4th level of the collapse of the Thaksin machine.

TRT was a purchased grouping of old fiefdom controlled parties, relabeled factions.

When TRT fell many of those parties when back to their own control.

PPP was a loose coalition of those TRT parties under a Samak proxy leadership that was uncontrollable, PPP screwed up their election bid as had TRT similarly, no one learned anything. Somchai was installed to try and re-establish control, but he was ineffectual and waffling at best.

PTP was the 3rd string TRT dregs, few of any stature and riven with factions out for them selves, and major former partners realizing that it was so and left when the inevitable better offer came around.

Since then a steady stream of defections, some from moral reasons,

ie objections to the two Songkran debacles, and some for regional and

personal loyalty reasons, and some just for the money or chance to be

on the gravy train again.

This power play of a walk out is naught much more than

giving the pretense of control to multi-factoin disorder.

Too many egos and no formidable umbrella to corral them under.

Edited November 26, 2010 by animatic

[jdinasia]

The Abhisit government seems to get more done when PTP walks out anyways

So much for them being a powerful opposition party

[asiawatcher]

PTP would appear to be falling apart.

Be interesting to see if they can hold it together for or after an election.

And if there are defections which direction the go.

Also be interesting to see what happens with Jatapurn and his mate after parliamentry immunity ends on Monday.

The Pheu Thai Party is threatening to expel the six Pheu Thai Party MP's, who joined the vetting committee, from the Party.

In addition to all the other troubles facing the Pheu Thai Party (one of which is it'll be a race to see if they can appoint a Party Leader who actually wants to be Party Leader this year), they'll be another half dozen down in the next election.

Can someone explain to me how an MP who has already changed parties to Bhumjahithai, can nominate 6 PTP MP's to join a vetting committee, especially as one of them, MP Kitti Somsap, wasn't even aware he had been nominated because he was at a dental appointment? MP Kiti Somsap learnt of his "nomination" after being called back to the chamber and has asked for his "nomination" to be withdrawn and for action to be taken against the defected MP, Piyarut Muengsaen.

Nope - no idea

[jdinasia]

They say "I nominate _________" , anyone appropriate can be nominated. That person may then decline the nomination! Rocket science!

[Robby nz]

The opposition Puea Thai Party is moving to expel six of its MPs who on Thursday disobeyed the party's resolution not to take part in a committee to vet the bill charter amendment bills sponsored by the government.

The six MPs are: Somboon Wanchaithanawong of Chiang Rai, Natee Suthinphuak of Samut Prakan, Jirapan Limsakulsirirat of Samut Prakan, Wuthichai Kittithanesuan of Nakhon Nayok, Piyarat Muensaen of Roi Et, Kitti Somsap of Roi Et, and Nikom Chaokittisophon, a party list MP.

These MPs have defected to the Bhumjaithai Party and joined its activities although officially they are still Puea Thai MPs.

After a government-sponsored bill which seeks to change the electoral system to single-MP constituencies and increase the number of MPs was passed in the first reading, the government proposed a 24-member committee be set up to vet the bill.

The Puea Thai Party's resolution was to abstain from taking part in the scrutiny of the bill.

Chaos erupted when Mr Piyarat, a Puea Thai MP for Roi Et, took the floor and nominated several Puea Thai MPs in his group as committee members.

His move sparked a protest from Puea Thai MPs, who claimed Mr Piyarat was not in a position to make the announcement.

Parliament President Chai Chidchob intervened and allowed Mr Piyarat to complete the nomination of the committee members amid jeers and boos from the Puea Thai camp.

The 24-member committee was later on Thursday night annulled and replaced by a 45-member joint committee, without any Puea Thai MPs, which is to scrutinise the two government-sponsored bills passed yesterday.

Padermchai Sasomsap, Puea Thai MP for Nakhon Pathom and chairman of the party's committee on discipline and ethics, said what happened in parliament was a disgrace.

Mr Padermchai said his committee would compile a case to present to the Constitution Court for the expulsion of the six MPs from the party.

The six MPs had defected to and joined in the activities of another party, he said, referring to the Bhumjaithai Party.

The Puea Thai Party earlier ejected two MPs - Jumpot Wongyai of Sakon Nakhon and Parapol Adireksarn. The party's request for their formal expulsion is still being considered by the Constitution Court.

If MPs do not agree to resign from their party, the court must confirm their expulsion.

Pirapan Palusuk, a Yasothon MP, said there were about 20 dissident MPs in the party, but they had so far shown no clear sign of breaking away.

Chaiya Promma, of Nong Bua Lamphu province, blamed the 2007 constitution for having caused this problem.

He said the constitution does not make it compulsory for MPs to comply with a party resolution, causing them to break into groups and bargain for political gain.

To top it off, the Puea Thai Party was without a clear leader, he said. The party should have appointed a leader eligible for the post of prime minister, instead of relying solely on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's policies and popularity.

The current party leader, Yongyuth Wichaidit, is not an MP, a prerequisite for nomination as prime minister. He has offered to stand aside several times, but the party has always failed to agree on his replacement.

From another news source.

I see that includes Kitti.

Also interesting to see PTP have an ethics committee.

Wonder if they know what the word means?

[Buchholz]

PTP would appear to be falling apart.

Be interesting to see if they can hold it together for or after an election.

And if there are defections which direction the go.

Also be interesting to see what happens with Jatuporn and his mate after parliamentary immunity ends on Monday.

The Pheu Thai Party is threatening to expel the six Pheu Thai Party MP's, who joined the vetting committee, from the Party.

In addition to all the other troubles facing the Pheu Thai Party (one of which is it'll be a race to see if they can appoint a Party Leader who actually wants to be Party Leader this year), they'll be another half dozen down in the next election.

Can someone explain to me how an MP who has already changed parties to Bhumjahithai, can nominate 6 PTP MP's to join a vetting committee, especially as one of them, MP Kitti Somsap, wasn't even aware he had been nominated because he was at a dental appointment? MP Kiti Somsap learnt of his "nomination" after being called back to the chamber and has asked for his "nomination" to be withdrawn and for action to be taken against the defected MP, Piyarut Muengsaen.

One gets the distinct impression that they wanted to join the committees with the exception of Kitti.

That impression is gained by none of the other MP's from PTP objected to the appointment as well as their being threatened with expulsion from the Party for being on the committee.

Why else would the Party do that if they didn't want to be on the committee? If they had been forced or duped into it, why punish them?

Seems the distinct impression was distinctly accurate.

The six MP's from PTP have been branded the "Cobra Six" by the Chairman of the Pheu Thai Party's Ethics and Discipline Panel.

They represent a cross-section of the country with the PTP MP's from the North, Northeast, Central, and Bangkok amongst the group and include both Party-list MP's and constituency MP's.

They were denounced as shameful by the Panel Chairman and he will be seeking their banishment through petitioning the Constitution Court. The court is already deliberating on two other MP's from Pheu Thai whose banishment was earlier sought by the PTP.

A separate Pheu Thai Party MP is decrying the 2007 Constitution over this issue as it allowed MP's to vote independently and they are not required to tow the Party line as was previous and he felt that giving MP's the opportunity to vote freely was wrong.

.

[Buchholz]

Also interesting to see PTP have an ethics committee.

Wonder if they know what the word means?

Difficult as it may be to believe, former Thai Rak Thai Party MP and former People Power Party MP and current Pheu Thai Party MP Padermchai Sasomsap is the Chairman of the Pheu Thai Party's Ethics and Discipline Panel.

He briefly held the position of Public Health Minister in the Samak Cabinet when his younger brother was forced to step down from that position for having undeclared assets.

.

Edited November 27, 2010 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

The Cabinet's other amendment draft seeking changes to Article 190, regarding the requirement for parliamentary approval for international agreements, sailed through with 354 votes for, 19 against and 17 abstentions.

Amended Article 190 passed second reading

In a majority vote of 343-205, Parliament has passed the second reading of amended Article 190 prescribing the framework on international negotiations and agreements.

About 3:40pm the charter debate moved on the proposed revamp of the electoral system in Articles 93 to 98.

-- The Nation 2011-01-25

[rubl]

The Cabinet's other amendment draft seeking changes to Article 190, regarding the requirement for parliamentary approval for international agreements, sailed through with 354 votes for, 19 against and 17 abstentions.

Amended Article 190 passed second reading

In a majority vote of 343-205, Parliament has passed the second reading of amended Article 190 prescribing the framework on international negotiations and agreements.

About 3:40pm the charter debate moved on the proposed revamp of the electoral system in Articles 93 to 98.

-- The Nation 2011-01-25

Please remind me, HOW MANY MP's were present in the parliamentary session and voted?

[Buchholz]

630 altogether, AFAIK

edit:

oh, I thought you meant how many mp's/senators are assigned

still, there were a number not present or not voted, but easily well enough for a quorum

Edited January 25, 2011 by Buchholz

[rubl]

630 altogether, AFAIK

edit:

oh, I thought you meant how many mp's/senators are assigned

still, there were a number not present or not voted, but easily well enough for a quorum

My mistake. I thought only MP's voted today, but from your remarks I guess it was a joint session.

[Buchholz]

630 altogether, AFAIK

edit:

oh, I thought you meant how many mp's/senators are assigned

still, there were a number not present or not voted, but easily well enough for a quorum

My mistake. I thought only MP's voted today, but from your remarks I guess it was a joint session.

yes, that's required for an amendment to the Constitution, AFAIK

edit:

Add that the other paper says 554 MPs and Senators were present, and from above, 548 voted.

Edited January 25, 2011 by Buchholz

[Buchholz]

Another day, another amendment passage...

Democrat-favoured electoral system amendment passed in second reading

The charter amendment bill to change the electoral system to have 375 constituency-based MPs and 125 party-list MPs was approved in the second reading early Wednesday.

The amendment was passed at 2:30 am with 298 votes for it while 211 parliamentarians voted against it.

The third reading is scheduled on February 11.

The formula of 375+125 House seats is favoured by the Democrat Party.

-- The Nation 2011-01-26

[Buchholz]

Amendment on Electoral System Passes 2nd Reading

The bill seeking to amend Sections 93-98 of the constitution has passed the second reading with a 298-211 vote.

After 11 hours of deliberation, the joint sitting of the House of Representatives and the Senate approved the bill seeking amendments to Sections 93-98 concerning the proposed 375-125 formula for constituency MPs and party-list MPs, and the electoral system.

The bill was passed in the second reading with a vote of 298-211.

The joint session ended at 2.35 A.M. EARLIER THIS MORNING (Wednesday). The third reading has been scheduled for February 11, at 10 A.M.

There was a moment of confusion when representatives from the Pheu Thai Party asked Deputy Parliament Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, who chaired the session, to adjourn the meeting until the next day, saying the session had been going on for 14 hours and they still had more to debate about the bill.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party MP for Chiang Mai, Surapong Towijakchaikul, called for a review of the amendment draft, which he claimed was in violation of Section 86, Article 7 of the Constitution.

In response, members of the coalition rose to oppose the adjournment of the session.

Before things got of control, Prasopsuk read out Section 86, and assured his audience that the amendment bill did not breach the Constitution.

After midnight, Chai Chidchob took over for Prasopsuk as chairman of the meeting.

He reiterated that the amendment bill was presented according to parliamentary procedure, and said those who doubt this may file a petition with the Constitution Court for a reinterpretation of the bill.

Some Pheu Thai Party MPs were furious and acted out their frustration, forcing the House Speaker to call in security officers to maintain order.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-26

[Buchholz]

Some Pheu Thai Party MPs were furious and acted out their frustration, forcing the House Speaker to call in security officers to maintain order.

Not without precedence. Was the former PPP MP and now current PTP MP Karun Hosakul involved in last night's fracas?

The Nation - April 3, 2008

A government coalition MP decided to take things to a physical level yesterday by kicking an opposition member.

People Power Party member Karun Hosakul kung-<deleted> kicked Democrat Somkiart Pongpaiboon

Witnesses say Somkiart was eating with colleagues at the Parliament cafeteria when Karun entered and launched his ineffective attack. Karun then lashed out with a fist, but missed again. Then the pair got into a shouting match, with Somkiart on the end of heated abuse.

In fact, Karun got so worked up that he had to be restrained by police officers and other PPP members.

--------------------------------------------

and then later, a follow-up:

The Nation - May 10, 2008

People Power Party MP Karun Hosakul was yesterday asked to honour his promise to resign after he was found guilty of physical and verbal attacks against Democrat MP Somkiart Pongpaiboon inside Parliament on April 2.

A fact-finding report reached a unanimous decision concluding that Karun had assaulted Somkiart and used rude language, MP Vichet Panvichartkul said yesterday.

--------------------------------------------

He didn't resign as promised, in fact... five months later, he had another victim

The Nation - October 29, 2008

Gothom Araya, Chief Advisor of the National Economic and Social Development Board, Wednesday urged leading members of the People Power Party to reprimand PPP MP Karun Hosakul for having allegedly threatened to kick Senator Rosan Tositrakul.

Karun allegedly made the threat during a joint sitting of the House and Senate on Tuesday.

---------------------------------------------

Still no resignation after the 2nd incident, and now as Pheu Thai Party MP... he's out on bail for Red Shirt terrorism

The Nation - June 8, 2010

Court grants bail to Jatuporn, Karun

BANGKOK: -- The Criminal Court Tuesday granted bail to Pheu Thai MPs Jatuporn Promphan and Karun Hosakul after the two posted Bt1 million in cash as guarantee each.

The Department of Special Investigations asked the court to detain the two without bail but the court disagreed.

The two were charged with instigating people to commit act of terrorism.

[Buchholz]

The other paper is reporting that with the progress shown on these constitutional amendments, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said today that he may dissolve the House in April with an election to follow if Parliament passes them on their third reading in early February.

He elaborated that he would still need to discuss it with the Election Commission.

[Buchholz]

Seems the Election Commission has already jumped out of the box...

EC ready for new election

BANGKOK, 26 January 2011 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) has voiced readiness to hold a general election no matter what the MPs ratio and election constituency arrangement will be or when the House will be dissolved.

Election Commissioner Prapan Naikowit, also a former National Legislative Assembly member, stated that the EC had no problem regarding the charter amendment on the election constituency, as the business was left to Parliament.

Mr Prapan added that the EC had prepared all the figures and equipment if the election constituency had to be changed from multiple-seat to single-seat system.

The commissioner noted that the amendment should be passed in the second reading within two days of the joint sitting of parliament, and deliberations in the third reading should also be made in time. It is speculated that parliament dissolution will be made in May.

As for the amendment to related organic laws, Mr Prapan believed that there should be transitory provisions. However, the EC has already been authorized to issue regulations on election arrangement. He confirmed that the preparations would not take long.

-- NNT 2011-01-26

[Buchholz]

House dissolution in April possible: PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday hinted at early elections by alluding to April as his tentative timing to dissolve the House following the passage of charter amendments.

"If Parliament passes the third reading of the draft amendments on February 11, then the government can proceed for a snap election," he said.

Abhist said the poll date will hinge on consultation with the Election Commission.

He said he did not anticipate any complications which could derail the poll from the protest by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

-- The Nation 2011-01-26

[Buchholz]

The other paper is reporting that with the progress shown on these constitutional amendments, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said today that he may dissolve the House in April with an election to follow if Parliament passes them on their third reading in early February.

House Speaker Chai has scheduled the third reading of the amendment to take place at 11:00 on 11 February 2011.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/en/news.php?id=255401260009