New Constitution Enacted By 4 Sept: Govt
By Khosod English


The leaders of the "Five Rivers" organizations in Bangkok, 11 March 2015.

BANGKOK — Thailand's 20th constitution will be inaugurated by His Majesty the King on 4 September 2015, government officials announced on Wednesday.

"The procedure will be completed by 25 May, upon which time the Constitution Drafting Committee will see whether there should be any amendments based on proposals from relevant agencies," said Visanu Kruengam, deputy Prime Minister. "It has been agreed that the final date that the Constitution will be submitted to the King on 4 September."

Per tradition, constitutions in Thailand are "signed" and enacted by His Majesty the King.

Visanu made the announcement after a meeting between the five governing bodies installed by the military junta, known as the "Five Rivers," which include the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), the National Reform Council (NRC), the Cabinet, and the junta itself.

The junta seized power from an elected government on 22 May 2014, dissolved the 2007 "permanent" constitution, and appointed the CDC to draft a new one for Thailand. The junta has promised that a national election will be held after the constitution is enacted - given that the political climate in the country is deemed stable.

According to Visanu, elections will take place approximately 150 days after the new charter is formally promulgated, which would fall in February 2016.

Visanu also said the Five Rivers have not discussed whether there will be a referendum on the new charter, as was the case for the 2007 and 1997 constitutions.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1426141101&section=11&typecate=06

-- Khaosod English 2015-03-12

Thailand Constitution - Take 20 - Action....

A sharp looking bunch, gotta love the pink silk shirt.

How long will the new "permanent" constitution last.

How long will the new "permanent" constitution last.

From wikipedia I counted 13 constitutions at a glance, from 1932. Appx 6.5y/constitution, so expect the next one around 2022.

Per tradition, constitutions like the 2007 Constitution were put to test by public referendums. But it looks like in this case democracy must be suppressed for the sake of democracy. The Junta is in a hurry to legitimize its power permanently and obstacles like participatory democracy must be sacraficed for the better good of the elite.

Nothing new in Thailand.

A sharp looking bunch, gotta love the pink silk shirt.

How long will the new "permanent" constitution last.

The best that can be said about that shirt is "It fits where it touches".

At which point we will have picked the next goverment.

Oops, meant to say set up the next election.

Oops meant to say will have free and fair elections ready to go in 2016.