Bangkok bombing will not interrupt work on draft charter: NRC

Bombing will not interrupt work on draft charter: NRC
PIYAPORN WONGRUANG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Reform Council will not postpone its work schedule towards the voting on the draft charter following the explosion on Monday evening, NRC whip Alongkorn Ponlaboot said yesterday.

Alongkorn said the NRC would stick with the schedule as previously set. It would try wrapping up comments on the preparation of the draft reform act as well as the questions to go along with the referendum planned for deliberation and discussion among the NRC members at yesterday's Parliamentary meeting.

Afterwards, it would go ahead with deliberations on the content of the draft charter to be submitted to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) this Saturday, before voting on it in September.

Alongkorn said the NRC had stepped up security measures for some important NRC figures to ensure their safety - although it has not yet been able to figure out clearly whether Monday's explosion would have anything to do with its work towards the voting on the constitution.

Alongkorn said the NRC did not hold a meeting to discuss the issue, but it informally talked with representatives of the CDC and agreed to stick to the work schedules of both parties.

"It has had no impact on us. We agreed that we would not step back in fear of any threats or they [the terrorists] would fulfil what they wished to do to us. The NRC is an institution that must stand tough in times of crisis, [one] on which people can rely. So, we will go forward as planned," said Alongkorn.

He did not confirm whether or not the threat was also directed at the organisation following the progress toward voting on the new constitution, reasoning that anything was possible, including political conflict.

But as an experienced politician, Alongkorn opined that the explosion was very deliberate, targeting to cause damage and create fear among the public.

"Those who did this are very professional," said Alongkorn, without confirming whether it was politically linked.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Bombing-will-not-interrupt-work-on-draft-charter-N-30266936.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-19