Bangkok: It is considered favorable that the Constitutional Court has accepted the decision on whether a referendum should be held before amending the constitution. Chusak emphasized that the court's acceptance brings clarity to the situation, advocating for two referendums, as he believes conducting three would complicate the process of finding a suitable host for the initial referendum.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chusak Sirinil, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office and legal affairs officer of the Pheu Thai Party, addressed the matter involving the Constitutional Court's acceptance of a petition by Dr. Premsak Piayura, Senator, and Mr. Wisut Chainarun, MP of the Pheu Thai Party. The petition proposes a motion to decide on the necessity of holding a referendum before constitutional amendments. He remarked that the court's acceptance is a positive development, though the outcome remains at the court's discretion. He noted that this submission differs from a previous one that was not part of the parliamentary agenda and lacked consideration. Currently, the matter is on the agenda and has caused disputes, making the court's acceptance for consideration beneficial.
Regarding the Constitutional Court's directive to submit opinions within 15 days, Mr. Chusak admitted to not having reviewed the details yet, leaving him unable to specify what will be submitted.
Mr. Chusak expressed that the court's consideration is likely to bring clarity to the constitutional amendment process. He noted past parliamentary disruptions, where attendance and participation were inconsistent due to differing beliefs about the feasibility of constitutional amendments. The court's intervention to decide on holding two or three referendums could pave the way for progress. He expressed hope for a conclusive resolution.
When questioned about his preference for the number of referendums, Mr. Chusak stated his support for two referendums to ensure the constitutional amendment is completed within the current timeframe.
If the Constitutional Court mandates three referendums, Mr. Chusak acknowledged the potential challenges. He mentioned the difficulty of appointing a host for the referendums, as the cabinet cannot assume the role due to its political party affiliation. Nonetheless, he remains hopeful that two referendums would suffice to achieve the desired outcome.