Push for charter change 'mired in conflict of interest'
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- The senatorial clique known as the Group of 40 has threatened to seek judicial review in a bid to block the ruling party's push for charter change.

The Pheu Thai Party has unveiled a legislative draft to amend four charter provisions, billed as a compromise to revamping the Constitution.

Senator Paiboon Nititawan yesterday stepped forward to cast doubt on the motive to amend the charter.

"I believe the proposed amendments are mired in conflict of interest, therefore the draft might not be constitutional," he said.

Article 122 of the Constitution is clear about the ban on conflict of interest, he added, explaining why the clique would petition the Constitution Court to rule on the matter.

In the draft, the ruling party would pave way for the formation of the Constitution Drafting Assembly - although the high court had ruled the CDA might not be constitutional if formed without a referendum, he said.

For other proposed changes, Pheu Thai would seek to revamp the Senate and to influence appointments in the National Anti- Corruption Commission, he said.

This would be tantamount to weakening the checks and balances, he said.

House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont said checks to verify the draft sponsorship would take seven days.

The draft would subsequently be put on the legislative docket and Parliament would decide in a vote whether to designate a priority, he said.

He said he had no idea if this draft would be put up for debate separately or in conjunction with the existing bill on charter change which seeks to rewrite the entire charter.

Coalition chief whip Udomdej Rattanasatien said some 248 coalition MPs were co-sponsors of the draft.

The number of senators varied from 50 to 62 for sponsoring the draft depending on the proposed amendments.

Udomdej said the House-Senate session should convene by early next month to deliberate the draft.



The proposed charter amendment draft is divided into three copies.

The first copy deals with the party dissolution clause.

The proposed change seeks to ban individuals from having direct access to the Constitution Court to initiate litigation for disbanding the party.

It also wants to revoke the five-year ban on party executives if their party is dismantled.

The second copy deals with the framework for international negotiations.

The change seeks to grant exemption to parliamentary vetting on international agreements deemed to impact economic, social and security affairs.

The third copy deals with the Senate.

The change is to do away with the system of appointed senators.

Under the proposal, the Senate would comprise 200 seats elected from constituencies drawn in accordance with the provincial boundaries. And elected senators would serve a term of six years.


-- The Nation 2013-03-21

The Constitution-The highest law-Bend it,twist it,tear it up.The pigs could use it to soak their gravy while feasting at Napoleons table.Some are more equal.....

Seems like an example of grinding down opposition to charter change.

Keep at it long enough and they'll get their way.

The only 'fly-in-the-ointment' are the cads and bounders of the armed forces who don't have to play the parliamentary 'games'.

Thailand first? Believe it when I see it.

Just think. Thaksin could have had a quiet 4 years settling the country down, before stirring a less-volatile hornet's nest in his 2nd term. Ah well, I'm sure dissatisfaction, unrest and the potential for violence is a much better option.

Seems like an example of grinding down opposition to charter change.

Keep at it long enough and they'll get their way.

The only 'fly-in-the-ointment' are the cads and bounders of the armed forces who don't have to play the parliamentary 'games'.

Thailand first? Believe it when I see it.

Just think. Thaksin could have had a quiet 4 years settling the country down, before stirring a less-volatile hornet's nest in his 2nd term. Ah well, I'm sure dissatisfaction, unrest and the potential for violence is a much better option.

A conspracy theorist would say Thaksin's debtors wont wait that long, what is certain is hes in a rush now.

The Constitution-The highest law-Bend it,twist it,tear it up.The pigs could use it to soak their gravy while feasting at Napoleons table.Some are more equal.....

I think it should be torn up as it was drawn up by a military gang who overturned the government illegally. What was democratic about that?

The Constitution-The highest law-Bend it,twist it,tear it up.The pigs could use it to soak their gravy while feasting at Napoleons table.Some are more equal.....

I think it should be torn up as it was drawn up by a military gang who overturned the government illegally. What was democratic about that?

What was democratic was that it was accepted by a majority of Thais in a referendum. No previous constitution was put to the people of Thailand.

Democratic enough for you?

The Constitution-The highest law-Bend it,twist it,tear it up.The pigs could use it to soak their gravy while feasting at Napoleons table.Some are more equal.....

I think it should be torn up as it was drawn up by a military gang who overturned the government illegally. What was democratic about that?

Yes one drawn up by a convicted criminal that is a fugitive from justice and give him the freedom to do what he likes would be a far more democratic one

Just die already, Thaksin won, you lost so just take it, regroup and use the political system, that is what it is there for. We would not be having this discussion if the Democrat party had one the election. In this case, you have Tyranny of the Minority and the Judicial System.

Just die already

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Who is this directed at, Sargent?

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Just die already

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Who is this directed at, Sargent?

.

Probably Thaksin?

Just die already

.

Who is this directed at, Sargent?

.

Probably Thaksin?

Taken in the context of his other comments, that doesn't fit.

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The Constitution-The highest law-Bend it,twist it,tear it up.The pigs could use it to soak their gravy while feasting at Napoleons table.Some are more equal.....

My irony is lost on some readers, The rights of individuals and minorities are protected in the Thai constitutional democracy because all who compose the majority(should) know that tomorrow they may be in the minority, or even have to stand alone against a crowd. By protecting minorities and individuals they protect themselves.This is why a supermajority from senate to referenda is required.Even in the USA More Americans can name the 3 stooges than the 3 branches of government(59%-21%),So what hope Thailand...

There should be no changes to the constitution by the present govt's (mis)representations. The agenda favours convicted criminals, and that IS unconstitutional.

Just die already, Thaksin won, you lost so just take it, regroup and use the political system, that is what it is there for. We would not be having this discussion if the Democrat party had one the election. In this case, you have Tyranny of the Minority and the Judicial System.

Must be a wind-up. Another reference to the Democrats. While we're following the well-worn deviation from the post tactic, were the Democrats proposing allowing criminals to get away scot-free?

The 'Minority' appear to be those who weren't given a bus-ride and a gift to make the right vote. What objection do you have to a legal system which ensures that Government doesn't ignore the rules.

Perhaps a Constitution which requires the attendance of the PM for PMs questions, and a total ban on Primary School painting competitions in CM on PM questions day, would be a good start.

Edited March 21, 201313 yr by Noistar

Just die already, Thaksin won, you lost so just take it, regroup and use the political system, that is what it is there for. We would not be having this discussion if the Democrat party had one the election. In this case, you have Tyranny of the Minority and the Judicial System.

What 'Tyranny of the Minority'? Oh, you mean Dr. Thaksin and his family. They are a Minority are are certainly a Tyranny.

The Constitution-The highest law-Bend it,twist it,tear it up.The pigs could use it to soak their gravy while feasting at Napoleons table.Some are more equal.....

I think it should be torn up as it was drawn up by a military gang who overturned the government illegally. What was democratic about that?

Oddly enough most of it was taken from the best constitution, you know the 1997 one that Thaksin quotes so much. Some of the new parts which Thaksin and the PTP want to do away with actually strengthened the existing laws from 1997.

Check it out yourselves.

Constitution of 1997.rtf

Constitution 2007.pdf

The Constitution-The highest law-Bend it,twist it,tear it up.The pigs could use it to soak their gravy while feasting at Napoleons table.Some are more equal.....

I think it should be torn up as it was drawn up by a military gang who overturned the government illegally. What was democratic about that?

Oddly enough most of it was taken from the best constitution, you know the 1997 one that Thaksin quotes so much. Some of the new parts which Thaksin and the PTP want to do away with actually strengthened the existing laws from 1997.

Check it out yourselves.

Constitution of 1997.rtf

Constitution 2007.pdf

I've tried that tactic before to no avail.

Apparently the current Constitution is bad, not because it is, but because it originated post-coup.

You'll never get certain posters to acknowledge the content of the present Constitution, just rattle on about Abhisit, the army, 2010 ad-nauseum.........

And of course, sing the praise of the 'Milky Bar Kid' who dedicates his life to the selfless wish to improve the lot of the illiterate North. (I use term illiterate, not as an insult, but more a reflection of a significant number of Thais I know around CM. the people who need to sign documents with their right-thumb print).

Edited March 22, 201313 yr by Noistar

The Constitution-The highest law-Bend it,twist it,tear it up.The pigs could use it to soak their gravy while feasting at Napoleons table.Some are more equal.....

I think it should be torn up as it was drawn up by a military gang who overturned the government illegally. What was democratic about that?

Oddly enough most of it was taken from the best constitution, you know the 1997 one that Thaksin quotes so much. Some of the new parts which Thaksin and the PTP want to do away with actually strengthened the existing laws from 1997.

Check it out yourselves.

Constitution of 1997.rtf

Constitution 2007.pdf

I've tried that tactic before to no avail.

Apparently the current Constitution is bad, not because it is, but because it originated post-coup.

You'll never get certain posters to acknowledge the content of the present Constitution, just rattle on about Abhisit, the army, 2010 ad-nauseum.........

And of course, sing the praise of the 'Milky Bar Kid' who dedicates his life to the selfless wish to improve the lot of the illiterate North. (I use term illiterate, not as an insult, but more a reflection of a significant number of Thais I know around CM. the people who need to sign documents with their right-thumb print).

Strangely enough NEITHER constitution came from the deity or friends and cronies now residing in Dubai.

What HE wants is a constitution that is easy enough for him to do anything but too hard for anybody else to oppose him.

Oddly both of the "amarts and unseen hands" inside and outside Thailand are on the same page when it comes to proper education for all Thais.

Neither side want it it as "The People" might wake up and wonder why they are being ripped off by both sides. That will be the time when Thailand has a major shift and with a bit of luck both amarts will be decimated.