Opposition to seek Constitional Court advice on charter amendment

[Lite Beer]

POLITICS
Opposition to seek Constitional Court advice on charter amendment
Prapasri Osathanon,
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Opposition will ask the Constitutional Court to consider if the ongoing charter amendment is lawful and seek an injunction before the third reading, chief whip Jurin Laksanawisit said on Wednesday.

On the 12th day of the second reading deliberation, the House-Senate joint meeting started by considering Article 10 of the total 13 Articles in the charter amendment bill related to senators' election and qualifications.

"After the second reading of the charter amendment is finished, the opposition will ask the Constitutional Court to consider whether this amendment is against the Article 68 of the Constitution, which talks about overthrowing the political system and acquiring power in unconstitutional ways. We will also request an injunction before the third reading," Jurin said.

Jurin said 80 lawmakers have registered to speak in the deliberation of Article 10, 20 of them Democrats. He declined to say when he thought the second reading would be finished.

However, government whip chief Aumnuay Khlangpha said he believed the second reading could be completed by next Wednesday.

According to the law, the third reading can be arranged 15 days after the second reading is finished.

-- The Nation 2013-09-11

[webfact]

Opposition set to seek court advice on amendment
Prapasri Osathanon
Praphan Jindalertudomdee
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The opposition will ask the Constitutional Court to see if the ongoing charter amendment is lawful and seek an injunction before the third reading can be held, chief whip Jurin Laksanawisit said yesterday.

"Once the second reading of the charter amendment is completed, the opposition will ask the Constitutional Court to consider whether this amendment goes against Article 68 of the Constitution, which refers to overthrowing the political system and acquiring power in unconstitutional ways. We will also request an injunction before the third reading," Jurin said.

According to the law, a third reading can be arranged 15 days after the second reading is completed.

The 12th day of the second reading began with the joint House-Senate meeting considering Article 10 of the 13 Articles in the charter amendment bill related to senators' election and qualifications.

Appointed senator Somchai Swangkarn proposed removing Article 10 entirely, saying it would be problematic if the charter amendment was completed after the current Senate's term ends in March.

Article 10 of the charter amendment bill allows current appointed senators who have not completed their term to continue their work.

Meanwhile, should the amended law go into effect, the entire 200-member Senate would be elected.

Nevertheless, the Article was later approved with 354:14 votes after nine hours of discussion.

Separately, the Constitutional Court yesterday decided not to accept the case filed by activist Borworn Yasinthorn against Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont, government MPs and those senators who submitted the motion of charter amendment.

In the petition filed in April, Borworn's group said that changing these laws would change the structure of the Senate and hence, change Thailand's political structure. The group also asked the court to issue an injunction.

However, the judges said there were no ground or evidence suggesting that the charter amendment would in any way overthrow democracy or allow the taking over of administrative power in an unconstitutional manner.

Constitutional Court judges voted 7:1 to reject the case.


-- The Nation 2013-09-12

[Chrisswe]

This Military constitution must be changed to a constitution for the Thai people's Thats the only way for a bright future of Thailand !!!

[Chrisswe]

This Military constitution must be changed to a constitution for the Thai people's Thats the only way for a bright future of Thailand !!!

[pmugghc]

The current constitution was approved by the Thai people in a referendum. Shouldn't any changes be approved in a referendum too?

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