NRC 'can call for changes to charter'

[Lite Beer]

NRC 'can call for changes to charter'
KHANITTHA THEPPAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- MEMBERS of the National Reform Council will be able to make changes to the new constitution via Article 36 of the 2014 interim charter when they and drafters debate - next week - the permanent charter that will replace it, NRC whip spokesman Wanchai Sonsiri insisted yesterday.

"NRC members can discuss every topic in the constitution draft, even if it means changing measures intended for the charter or making amendments to charter articles, according to the 2014 provisional constitution's Article 36," Wanchai said.

The NRC member said there were no topics or articles that reformers could not debate, and he believed the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) would have to listen and make some amendments to the issues most debated.

Section 36 of the interim charter states that the CDC should send the drafted version of the new constitution to the military's ruling National Council for Peace and Order and the Cabinet for consideration, and in return, they can offer suggestions for amendments.

The scrutinising process will allow the charter drafters and reformers to air and debate their thoughts on the new charter draft from next Monday, April 20, until Sunday, April 26.

NRC whip Alongkorn Ponlaboot said the debate next week would be a constructive way to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the constitution draft, not a heated, violent row.

CDC spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn voiced support for the idea that reformers can propose to alter principles of the charter, but said whether such arguments would lead to the amendment of articles or not also depended on what the 36 charter drafters decide.

Another NRC member, Prasert Chitapong, explained measures for the debate next week, saying the meeting would give the heads of 18 areas of national reform 30 minutes to debate the content in the charter draft. Other NRC members who reserved a right to debate would be granted two topics to discuss as well.

Prasert said he would debate social and local-administration articles.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday that no decision had been made on whether a national referendum will be held on the new charter.

Yesterday at Parliament, Reform Council members got copies of the final draft of the new constitution to prepare for the debate on Monday. The charter was given to them by NRC president Thienchay Kiranandana. The documents they received included the draft with 315 articles on 130 pages, plus a 20-page report on the CDC's work process and the intent of each charter article.

Earlier, there were requests by many sides for a referendum to be arranged for the public to approve or reject the new charter.

The draft will be shared with the media and the public on April 27.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NRC-can-call-for-changes-to-charter-30258219.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-18

[oneday]

"...NRC 'can call for changes to charter'..."

But will anyone listen. So far this government has done an incredibly good job of not listening to anyone.

[tigermonkey]

"...NRC 'can call for changes to charter'..."

But will anyone listen. So far this government has done an incredibly good job of not listening to anyone.

"CDC spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn voiced support for the idea that reformers can propose to alter principles of the charter, but said whether such arguments would lead to the amendment of articles or not also depended on what the 36 charter drafters decide."

In other words, it does not matter what NRC says, the CDC will do what it wants to do. So why do they bother ?