NLA: Suggestions not gesture of rejection

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 6 February 2016 (NNT) – The president of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has insisted that the NLA's suggestions on the first charter draft are meant to make the draft more suitable for the circumstances in Thailand, and are not a gesture of rejection.

NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai convened a meeting to gather members’ suggestions on the first draft of the new constitution. These suggestions will be forwarded to the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) on February 15th.

According to him, NLA’s suggestions if heeded will increase the chances of the first draft passing the public referendum, adding that all of the suggestions are meant to help the charter meet the needs of the people.

He went on to say that the public referendum cannot be staged through the enforcement of Article 44 of the interim charter. The only way for the referendum to take place is to amend the interim constitution itself.

-- NNT 2016-01-07

the public referendum cannot be staged through the enforcement of Article 44 of the interim charter.

It also cannot be preceded through enforcement of Article 44 as it is now. There needs to be an open and free discussion by the public on the merits of the draft constitution.

Pornpetch's statement might be perceived as lifting Article 44 only on the day of the referendum vote during which no doubt the EC will not allow any public statements for or against the draft as voters go to the polls.

NLA: Suggestions not gesture of rejection

looks like someone cracked the ruler across the collective hands of the NLA....