Pheu Thai'S Struggle To Find Common Stand On Charter Change

[webfact]

Pheu Thai's struggle to find common stand on charter change

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The ruling Pheu Thai Party has reaffirmed its stand to push for charter change although it remains undecided on the format and scope of the rewriting.

"The rewriting options will hinge on a consultation of the ruling party, the coalition parties and the coalition whips," Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday.

The ruling party held a twoday seminar at Pattaya over the weekend to debate its next move on charter rewriting in the wake of the judicial decision on the charter amendment bill.

Prompong said the coalition whips would today convene a meeting to review various options raised during the party's seminar. Tomorrow, the coalition parties will meet over dinner, paving the way for coalition MPs to form a common stand before the House reconvenes on Wednesday, he said.

He said the push to amend the charter was on track and that the ruling party would try to overcome any resistance to overhaul the political system, keeping it in line with democratic principles.

But the rewriting process might take more time than previously anticipated because of the necessity to involve the public in backing the proposed amendments, he said.

Within the next two months, the Pheu Thai has been projected to grow to 2.5 million members and is expected, by next year, to see at least 15 million members, he said, hinting at an ambitious plan to boost party membership for support should the referendum vote be deemed necessary.

Pheu Thai director Phumtham Wechayachai said the party would not withdraw the two contentious bills for reconciliation and for charter change.

The two bills will remain on the legislative ticket but be on hold pending consultation on a next step, Phumtham said.

Pheu Thai MP Paijit Sreewarakan said the people from the Northeast did not want the party to abandon the charter rewrite.

Paijit reminded his party to remain close to its supporters because of the shifting sentiment due to the falling prices of cassava, paddy and natural rubber.

Pheu Thai MP Samart Kaewmechai said his northern constituents wanted the entire charter amended by the Constitution Drafting Assembly.

Samart also voiced dissatisfaction that Cabinet members appeared inaccessible to MPs. He said he wanted to bring the grievances of falling commodity price to the attention of ministers concerned but had difficulty getting an appointment.

Democrat Party MP Theptai Seanapong said the ruling party should withdraw the reconciliation bill in order to avoid inflaming the volatile situation.

Theptai urged House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont to hold an informal meeting with four sponsors of the bill, paving a way for the bill's removal.

Commenting on the Skype online call to the ruling party by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, he said the call was proof that Thaksin remained in control.

In another development, Democrat legal adviser Rames Rattanachawen said Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung was trying to discredit the Constitution Court by issuing a critique of the verdict on the charter amendment bill.

Chalerm failed to check the facts in regard to forming the verdict and individual opinions of the eight judges before drawing a hasty conclusion that the decision was not transparent, he said.

-- The Nation 2012-07-30

[Buchholz]

"The rewriting options will hinge on a consultation of the ruling party, the coalition parties and the coalition whips," Pheu Thai Spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday.

The option ultimately decided upon will hinge on a consultation with the party financier in Dubai.

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[Skywalker69]

I smell PANIC.

[ramrod711]

Chalerm failed to check the facts in regard to forming the verdict and individual opinions of the eight judges before drawing a hasty conclusion that the decision was not transparent, he said.

Hard to believe that Chalerm would just open his mouth and speak nonsense. Strike that, it isn't hard to believe at all. What a disaster/joke this government is.

[MunterHunter]

We really really really want to change the Charter... but we don't know what we want to change yet.

Left hand, meet the right hand... the right hand is scratching the arse-hole, the left hand is picking the nose... now that everyone has been introduced and knows what each other is doing, perhaps we can get on with running the country now? Perhaps? maybe? Please!?!

[SuneeTH]

Common stand = THAKSIN.

No need to find anymore.

[lungmi]

The last election for POS in Lampang saw 3 (!) candidates of PTP. A woman with accepted integrity won.

The second candidate (a high rank police officer, Red Shirt leader, founder of a red village, involved in the exam fraud of police staff as "national leader")

didn't accept the election and made big problems (copy the Reds in their attack against CC), and lost.

About the third I have no information.

The PTP is split open in some parts of Thailand. I doubt about K.T's possibilities to 'unite' the different factions of PTP.

The Dems are confronted with a small problem like this.

There is a faction of 'young democrats' (spiritual father is Chuang Leek Pai) to get down the Southern Group (Suthep faction).

The game is open ......

Edited July 30, 2012 by lungmi

[rubl]

I'm really surprised, I thought details had been worked out. Wasn't that why some went to HongKong to congratulate k. Thaksin? With his birthday, that is

[Nickymaster]

The last election for POS in Lampang saw 3 (!) candidates of PTP. A woman with accepted integrity won.

The second candidate (a high rank police officer, Red Shirt leader, founder of a red village, involved in the exam fraud of police staff as "national leader")

didn't accept the election and made big problems (copy the Reds in their attack against CC), and lost.

About the third I have no information.

The PTP is split open in some parts of Thailand. I doubt about K.T's possibilities to 'unite' the different factions of PTP.

The Dems are confronted with a small problem like this.

There is a faction of 'young democrats' (spiritual father is Chuang Leek Pai) to get down the Southern Group (Suthep faction).

The game is open ......

Money unites here in LOS. The outcome has all to do with how much money the coalition parties will get.

[waza]

I'm really surprised, I thought details had been worked out. Wasn't that why some went to HongKong to congratulate k. Thaksin? With his birthday, that is

Thaksin is dictating the details and the agenda but factions in th PTP like things better without him, they are happy to see the reconcilliation/ charter change/ constitution rewrite/ Thaksins amnesty process stall. This gives them more time at the trough before the..........

Edited July 30, 2012 by waza

[h90]

I smell PANIC.

You smell too much....

Some are afraid that they'll loose their job if they continue, so they try to increase the price for agreeing.

[drdoom6996]

The article just had to say the PTP struggles for or against all things. It can't help itself. As for the politicians in the PTP, that is a struggle unto itself.

Edited July 30, 2012 by drdoom6996

[Chupup]

It really is a JOKE Government bought and paid for by big T