Bangkok: Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit, a party-list Member of Parliament for the Democrat Party, has reiterated his firm stance on constitutional amendments, emphasizing that any changes must not affect Chapters 1 and 2. In a recent parliamentary session, Mr. Jurin outlined four key points regarding the drafting of a new constitution, underscoring the importance of preserving the core chapters of the 2017 Constitution.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Jurin highlighted the challenges faced in amending the 2017 Constitution, which came into effect on April 6, 2017. Over the past eight years, there have been numerous attempts to amend both specific sections and the overall constitution. The Democrat Party, in conjunction with the then-coalition government, proposed amendments in 2021 to make constitutional changes more feasible and aligned with evolving national and global contexts. Notable amendments included changes to the electoral system and the removal of senators' power to vote for the prime minister.
Mr. Jurin explained that the difficulty in amending the constitution lies in its stringent requirements. In addition to a majority parliamentary vote, amendments necessitate the approval of at least 20 percent of the opposition and one-third of the senators. Some sections further require a public referendum. These conditions contribute to the complexity of the amendment process.
Before joining the government of General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Mr. Jurin, as party leader, set three conditions for the Democrat Party's participation, one of which was to support constitutional amendments that furthered democracy without altering Chapters 1 and 2. This condition was accepted by the previous government.
Currently, another round of constitutional amendments has been submitted to Parliament. The amendments aim to honor the Memorandum of Agreement between political parties. While economic issues remain a public priority, the draft amendments, including those from the Prachachon Party, Pheu Thai Party, and Bhumjaithai Party, are on the parliamentary agenda. Key proposals include amending Section 256 and adding Chapter 15/1 to facilitate the drafting of a new constitution through a Constituent Assembly.
Mr. Jurin stated that his position on constitutional amendments remains unchanged, emphasizing that any new constitution must not alter Chapters 1 and 2. Among the drafts under consideration, most share similar principles with minor differences. The primary focus is on amending Sections 156 and 256 and establishing a Constituent Assembly. Differences arise in the number and origins of the Assembly members, with some drafts permitting changes to Chapters 1 and 2, while others prohibit such changes.
In his statement, Mr. Jurin reaffirmed his commitment to supporting a constitutional amendment draft that prevents changes to Chapters 1 and 2. He expressed concern that allowing amendments to these chapters could lead to future alterations. He also stressed that the amendment process must align with the Constitutional Court's ruling to ensure the viability of future changes. Lastly, he emphasized that any new constitution should promote the governance of good individuals, as outlined in Sections 160 (4) and (5) of the current constitution.