Joint Session To Debate Pheu Thai Draft

[webfact]

Joint session to debate Pheu Thai draft

THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party's constitutional amendment draft has been scheduled for a joint parliamentary deliberation next Thursday, House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranond said yesterday.

Somsak, who is also the Parliament president, said that according to the Constitution, he is required to schedule such a motion for a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the Senate within 15 days of submission.

However, the drafts proposed by civic groups - including the red shirts - would not be scheduled for deliberation soon, Somsak said, adding that the proponents would instead be invited to take part in the public hearings on the constitutional amendment.

When asked if the drafts by civic groups would have no chance of being deliberated by Parliament, he said: "We will have to see if there is anything that can be done."

With at least 50,000 supporter signatures, each amendment bill by the civic groups will require a long period of time for verification of the supporters' identities.

The Pheu Thai draft, as well as other similar drafts submitted recently, seeks an amendment to Article 291 of the current post-coup Constitution to allow formation of a drafting assembly to amend the charter.

The Cabinet resolved Monday to submit its own draft for charter changes. According to sources in the coalition, the government draft is almost identical to that of Pheu Thai's.

Somsak said yesterday he did not think charter changes would lead to a new round of political conflict, as elected representatives from the people would form the majority in a constitution drafting assembly. "I don't think there will be such a problem," he said.

He also said he did not think the constitutional amendment would help former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in the legal cases against him. He was responding to an earlier remark by Pheu Thai MP and red- shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn that the charter changes would result in "bringing Thaksin home".

Thaksin has been in self-exile overseas, escaping a two-year imprisonment sentence at home in a case involving conflict of interest.

The House speaker said he believed the constitution to be drafted by the new CDA would be "democratic and better" than the current one. He dismissed speculation that the ruling party already has a "blueprint" for a new charter.

Meanwhile, opposition chief whip Jurin Laksanavisit yesterday noted that the House speaker acted "too hastily" in scheduling the Pheu Thai draft for deliberation, while ignoring the drafts proposed by civic groups. "This hasty act may be intended to benefit someone. I wonder why a government that often claims it respects democracy and the civic sector does not wait for the amendment drafts from the red shirts. Why are they in such a hurry?" Jurin said, adding that there were other problems that required urgent government action.

Jurin, a senior MP from the Democrat Party, said it could be because the ruling politicians were afraid of possible abrupt political change.

In a related development, Pairoj Polphet, a member of the Law Reform Commission, yesterday expressed concern that the three amendment drafts proposed separately by civic groups would fail to be deliberated by Parliament after the House speaker scheduled deliberations to begin next week.

"If the three drafts are rejected, it means the views of more than 100,000 people are ignored. This does not go in line with the spirit of the constitution," he said. He also called for either expediting the verification of the civic groups' supporters or delaying the parliamentary deliberations.

-- The Nation 2012-02-17

[Ricardo]

Interesting to see PTP running with their own draft, and using the signature-verification ploy to side-line ones from other groups, including their own Red-Shirt supporters ? Yay for Red Democracy !

Reminiscent of the 2-million signatures for Thaksin's pardon, under the previous government.

But what matters more is what changes to the Constitution will be proposed, and whether the regularly-promised commitment to hold a National-Referendum on the changes is kept, and what they do if/when they don't get a majority for the changes, IMO.

[tobesurenow]

Oh sorry I thought the headline said joint session to 'debate Pheu Thai graft'

[CalgaryII]

Joint session to debate Pheu Thai draft, #1^

"However, the drafts proposed by civic groups - including the red shirts.........."

I wouldn't characterize the Red Shirts as either a 'civic goup", or a 'group' for that matter.

Not when it is the dominant political movement in the country.

Jurin, a senior MP from the Democrat Party, said it could be because the ruling politicians were afraid of possible abrupt political change.

This notion pops up every once in awhile.

Obviously from 'undemocratic coupist's' who entertain the possibility of changing a Government through non-electoral means.

[CalgaryII]

Oh sorry I thought the headline said joint session to 'debate Pheu Thai graft'

Actually no tobesure.

It is quite clear "draft" and not 'graft"

You are confusing the previous go-around of constitutional reform, with the current one.

Edited February 17, 2012 by CalgaryII

[jonclark]

Jurin, a senior MP from the Democrat Party, said it could be because the ruling politicians were afraid of possible abrupt political change.

This notion pops up every once in awhile.

Obviously from 'undemocratic coupist's' who entertain the possibility of changing a Government through non-electoral means.

Tsk, tsk, you've obviously forgotten the frequent, monthly references to coups by your hero Jatuporn - Possibly Jurins just satirizing Jatuporns spurious claims.

[CalgaryII]

Jurin, a senior MP from the Democrat Party, said it could be because the ruling politicians were afraid of possible abrupt political change.

This notion pops up every once in awhile.

Obviously from 'undemocratic coupist's' who entertain the possibility of changing a Government through non-electoral means.

Tsk, tsk, you've obviously forgotten the frequent, monthly references to coups by your hero Jatuporn - Possibly Jurins just satirizing Jatuporns spurious claims.

Yes, Jatuporn and other UDD/red Shirts regularly raise the specter of coups, considering the many 'coup inclined' initiatives of the Opposition, principle amongst them being their constant treks to the judiciary.

There is no saririzing here, but suggestive discussion about coup potentials.

Many of those considering this par-for-the-course politically, forget that their last coup escapade has evolved such a country-wide anti-coup and pro-electoral politicised majority, that I think they fail to fathom the consequences next time around.

The days of freeby coups are over, and the alertness of Jatuporn and others attest to that fact.

Edited February 17, 2012 by CalgaryII

[jonclark]

Jurin, a senior MP from the Democrat Party, said it could be because the ruling politicians were afraid of possible abrupt political change.

This notion pops up every once in awhile.

Obviously from 'undemocratic coupist's' who entertain the possibility of changing a Government through non-electoral means.

Tsk, tsk, you've obviously forgotten the frequent, monthly references to coups by your hero Jatuporn - Possibly Jurins just satirizing Jatuporns spurious claims.

Yes, Jatuporn and other UDD/red Shirts regularly raise the specter of coups, considering the many 'coup inclined' initiatives of the Opposition, principle amongst them being their constant treks to the judiciary.

There is no saririzing here, but suggestive discussion about coup potentials.

Many of those considering this par-for-the-course politically, forget that their last coup escapade has evolved such a country-wide anti-coup and pro-electoral politicised majority, that I think they fail to fathom the consequences next time around.

The days of freeby coups are over, and the alertness of Jatuporn and others attest to that fact.

So Jatuporn alertness to coups means he's a hero / defender of democracy. When the opposition restates jatuporns fears, they are seen as villains / enemies of democracy. touchy, touchy no double standards, or do you think Jurin is pro coup??

I think everyone realizes rightly and correctly that the days of coups are finished in Thailand. Anyone who is pro coup or pro military rule should up sticks and go and live in Burma. The shine of PTP will be short lived and already the gloss is coming off. As the old saying goes - you can't polish a turd.

The dems will eventually return to power be it 4 , or 8 years down the road, patience is a virtue. History shows they have outlasted all other political parties and they will outlast UDD/PTP and all its future reincarnations, through the simple fact that, as UDD supporters constantly point out the elites back them, so the dems have the money, and thereby the political attrition to go the distance as an opposition until government calls as it will one day.

I hope PTP remains as a political force as it makes democracy stronger. The constant creation, dissolving and reincarnation of political parties results in a weaker democracy.