Ruling Pheu Thai party awaits study on charter amendment bid

BANGKOK, Dec 9 (TNA) – Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai Party is now awaiting outcome of a study by the coalition government’s working committee considering the charter amendment process before a conclusion could be made, said Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit. He said a complete report on the study would probably be sent to partners in the coalition government within December 17. Those who oppose the government’s attempts to amend the current 2007 charter, prepared by military-appointed panel following the bloodless coup in September 2006, should allow the public to play a role in amending the charter, Mr. Prompong said. Reiterating that the major opposition Democrat Party is against plans by the government commanding majority votes in the House of Representatives in rewriting the entire constitution, Democrat Party list MP Ongart Klampaiboon asked the government to say explicitly which sections of the charter it wants to amend as many are worried that the amendment is aimed at reducing authorities of independent agencies. The Constitution Court on July 13 this year ruled after the second reading of the amendment charter bill sailed through the parliament that rewriting the entire 2007 charter without a public referendum would be unconstitutional. Suggestions were made that the government could amend it section-by-section instead of rewriting the entire charter. In another development, an independent ABAC Poll had conducted a survey on the controversial issue in which up to 51.8 per cent of the total respondents voiced concerns on the government’s attempts to rewrite the 2007 while 48.2 per cent believed the amendment was necessary. Up to 74.3 per cent of the total respondents said the amendment would lead to political turmoil and violence could erupt in the country. (TNA)