Academics Want More, Directly Elected Thailand Constitution Drafters

Academics want more, directly elected drafters

The Nation March 12, 2012 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Assembly should be expanded from 99 to 150 or even 200 seats to better represent the population, a debate heard yesterday.

The panellists at a roundtable discussing the framing of a new charter, organised yesterday by Mahidol University's Research Centre for Peace Building, agreed that CDA members should be directly elected but differed on the details of who should be assigned to draft the new charter.

Some wanted the charter writers to come from the CDA, while others felt they should be selected from a pool of academics and work under the CDA.

The event provided an opportunity for democracy advocates from Narathiwat, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani and Bangkok to promote their viewpoints.

Democrat MP Wiratana Kalayasiri told the panel his main opposition party wanted the charter amendments to exclude any changes to the monarchy and independent organisations and to refrain from trying to absolve the guilt of a certain individual, referring to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The government appears intent on disbanding two judicial bodies, the Constitution Court and the Administrative Court system, but this would undermine the checks-and-balances mechanism, he said.

Pheu Thai MP Cherdchai Tantisirin said the new charter would champion democratic rule, while the current constitution was sponsored by the 2001 coupmakers.

The ruling party was obliged to make good on its campaign pledge to amend the charter. The process would take time and heed the voice of the minority, he said.

Media professional Chom Phetpradab called for the launch of a television station devoted to reforms and public participation in the charter rewrite.

Chief coalition whip Udomdej Rattanasatien said the final charter draft would be put to a public referendum.

Seminar organiser Gothom Arya said the suggestions and concerns of the panellists would be submitted to the House committee vetting the charter amendment bill.

In the past the bill to amend the charter was often enacted without input from the people, he said.

Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong said the Democrats would meet tomorrow to map out their next move on the charter rewrite and the reconciliation process.

Pheu Thai MP Wattana Muangsuk dismissed allegations that he went to Hong Kong over the weekend to receive Thaksin's instructions on the charter change.

Wattana said he could not travel abroad without court permission since he was still mired in the legal battle over fire truck procurement.

The Democrats were trying to mislead the public into believing that Thaksin would benefit from the new charter, he said.

Both sides should debate on how to improve the charter provisions in order to bury the hatchet and advance democracy instead of engaging in a smear campaign, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-03-12