Bangkok: Deputy Pheu Thai Party spokesperson Chanin Rungthanakiat has called on the Bhumjaithai Party to promptly release their draft constitutional amendments to the Constituent Assembly. The call to action coincides with the 19th anniversary of the September 19, 2006 coup, which disrupted Thailand's political landscape and undermined democratic development. Chanin emphasized the necessity of drafting a new constitution, expressing concerns that failure to complete the amendment within the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) timeframe could lead to the dissolution of parliament within four months. He urged the public to encourage Anutin Charnvirakul to secure one-third of the votes from the Senate.
According to Thai News Agency, Chanin highlighted the historical impact of the coup, which targeted the Thaksin regime, dismantled the Thai Rak Thai Party, and disrupted political continuity. This upheaval, he argued, has significantly hindered the country's potential for democratic and socio-economic development. The spokesperson criticized the repeated rewriting of the constitution, which he claimed disrespects the people's voice by manipulating the rules for political gain. The Pheu Thai Party is determined to prevent such occurrences in the future and sees the current moment as an opportunity to establish a more democratic and people-oriented constitution.
Chanin also addressed the need to amend Chapter 15/1 of the Constitution, which pertains to constitutional amendments. The Pheu Thai Party's Political Development Committee of the House of Representatives has already drafted amendments and is prepared to submit them to the House of Representatives for approval. However, the Bhumjaithai Party has yet to present any draft proposal for consideration, creating uncertainty about their position.
He urged both the Bhumjaithai Party and the Prachachon Party to expedite the process of designing constitutional amendments and forming the Constituent Assembly. Delays, he warned, could shorten the promised four-month MOA deadline. A crucial condition for the amendment's passage is securing the approval of one-third of the Senate. Chanin suggested that the People's Party, as a co-guarantor of the current Prime Minister, should negotiate with Anutin Charnvirakul to influence the Senate, previously criticized as "blue-collar," to ensure a successful constitutional amendment.