Thai Charter Debate May Be Extended

[webfact]

Charter debate may be extended

The Nation

Second reading could be given three extra days if debate not completed today; ruling party MPs urged to be patient

BANGKOK: -- The parliamentary debate on the second reading of the constitutional amendment could be extended by another three days if it is not completed by today as scheduled, the chief government whip said yesterday.

Udomdej Ratanasathien, an MP from the ruling Pheu Thai Party, said the coalition, opposition and Senate whips had agreed to schedule the second reading yesterday and today.

"The debate could be extended to tomorrow. If many parliamentarians end up taking the floor and the time is insufficient, we [the government] would be pleased to be flexible to any request for an extension," Udomdej said.

He added that the debate could even be extended to Sunday because there was the required period of 15 days between the second reading and the third and final reading, which is scheduled for May 8. The law requires a minimum 15-day period before parliamentary voting.

The chief government whip said Pheu Thai MPs have been instructed to be patient with opposition MPs during the debate and refrain from protesting frequently. "This is to maintain a good atmosphere and keep the debate in order," he said.

However, he denied that the government was rushing the debate on constitutional amendment, as alleged by the Opposition and critics.

Parliament Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranond, who is also the House speaker and a Pheu Thai MP, said yesterday that the second reading could be extended into the weekend if necessary, though he believes it could be completed by tomorrow.

"What I am worried about is that many parliamentarians do not get to the point when debating. If they talk about certain points in the clauses that they might have reservations about, then the time is sufficient. If they go beyond these points, then even one month is not enough," he said.

Somsak added that he expected voting in the final reading to be held on May 8 as agreed upon by the tripartite whips. "Nobody will dare act against this agreement," he added.

Opposition MPs have accused Somsak of being biased in favour of coalition MPs and senators who support the government's stance.

Chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanavisit from the Democrat Party said yesterday that 172 MPs and 43 senators had points to debate upon in the second reading, particularly in terms of the number of members the Constitution Drafting Assembly should have and whether they should be elected or partially appointed.

Jurin said the government should not take advantage of its parliamentary majority in pushing through its original amendment without heeding suggestions from opposition MPs and some senators.

"The Opposition is worried that society's doubts about this government could lead to street protests, confusion and division," he said.

Opposition and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that the government was rushing through with the charter amendment and that they rarely explained their resistance to opposition MPs' suggestions.

-- The Nation 2012-04-19

[americaninbangkok]

Could this be becasue Somsak was sleeping?

[Ricardo]

Not sleeping perhaps, just absorbed in the rhetoric, while awaiting the slide-show !

[siampolee]

''I shall set a watchtower upon thy wall.''

Indeed the picture is the epitome of many security guards here in Thailand. So good to see the leaders taking the lead from the masses !!

Whilst Somsak sleeps the dog of war creeps slowly in.