Prayuth to Change Constitution at King’s Request

By  Sasiwan Mokkhasen, Staff Reporter

 

  

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks Dec. 20 at the Government House in Bangkok.

 

BANGKOK — Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday said His Majesty the King has asked for changes to the constitution approved by the public in August relating to his powers.

 

Prayuth said he would use his self-granted absolute power under Article 44 to amend the 2014 interim charter to make it possible to change an already approved constitution after the king told members of his privy council he wanted some sections changed.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2017/01/10/prayuth-change-constitution-kings-request/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2017-01-10

Draft constitution to be amended on provisions related to royal power
By The Nation

 

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday said the draft constitution will be taken back from the Palace for further amendment on the provisions related to the royal power.

 

He said the overall process for the amendment would take about three months to complete.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30303817

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-10

Thai king's office seeks changes to draft constitution

REUTERS

 

Thailand's new King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun is seen on his way to the Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand, December 2, 2016. REUTERS/Jorge Silva

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn's office has requested changes to a draft constitution regarding his royal powers, the prime minister said on Tuesday.

 

The constitution drafted by the military is central to the junta's plan to hold a general election to return Thailand to democratic rule. It was approved in a referendum last year and has been awaiting the king's endorsement.

 

"The request said there are three to four issues that need fixing to ensure his royal powers," Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting.

 

"This issue has nothing to do with the rights and freedoms of the people," he said, without giving further details.

 

The king came to the throne after the death of his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in October.

 

Thailand has a constitutional monarchy and public interventions in political affairs by a king are rare.

 

Prayuth said that the junta and the cabinet agreed to make the requested amendments.

 

The process will take up to three months because the government would first need to make changes to the current interim constitution before it can then change the draft constitution, he said.

 

The military has said elections would be held in late 2017. Prayuth said the timeline remains unchanged and there would be a new government in place next year.

 

(Reporting by Aukkarapon Niyomyat; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-01-10

HM advises changes to new charter
By Wasamon Audjarint,
Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
The Nation

 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha speaks at a press conference after the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday.

 

Prayut insists no delay in ‘road map’, but amendments could take several months

 

BANGKOK: -- His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn has advised the government to amend the section of the new constitution draft dealing with the exercise of royal power, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

 

Prayut said there were about “three to four issues” in the new charter draft while a spokesman of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) admitted that the proposed amendment concerned the King’s prerogative in appointing a regent in the event of his absence from the country or if he is incapable of performing his duties. The amendment would mean that the King would not be constitutionally bound to appoint a regent. 

 

The Interim Charter will also have to be amended to the same effect. 

 

The amendment is likely to delay the next general election tentatively set for late this year, but Prayut insisted a new government should still be able to take over early next year.

 

Full story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/national/30303868

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-01-11