Bangkok: Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the Prachachon Party, criticized the proposed referendum on Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) 43-44, expressing concerns that it could create an additional burden on the people during the election process. He emphasized that the government should make decisive choices without deferring to public referenda, especially on complex issues.
According to Thai News Agency, Natthaphong addressed the disappointment following the prime ministerial vote in favor of Anutin Charnvirakul, maintaining his commitment to democratic principles. While acknowledging some public dissatisfaction, he underscored the importance of drafting a new constitution to enhance democracy in Thailand and reform the military to prevent future coups and violence. He highlighted the need for public understanding in the constitution-drafting process, focusing on the origins of the drafters over the next four months.
Natthaphong stressed that any constitutional changes should prevent independent organizations from becoming politically destructive tools and ensure effective oversight and suppression of corruption, reflecting public aspirations. Sensitive political proposals should be addressed through parliamentary processes, such as the Constitution Drafting Advisory Council, allowing broad citizen participation and discussion on both sensitive issues and public welfare.
He acknowledged concerns about Senate opposition but emphasized the collective responsibility of all parties to advocate for their demands. Ultimately, he stated, the people would decide through their votes in the election. Natthaphong noted that although the debates might be intense, they would enable the public to discern differences clearly. He reiterated the duty of all parliament members to approve the first reading of the constitution draft, with further discussions to follow.
Regarding the referendum on MOU 43 and MOU 44, Natthaphong cited NIDA Poll results indicating a lack of public understanding of the MOUs' content. He argued that a quality referendum requires informed voting, which may not be feasible due to undisclosed issues and secret parliamentary discussions. There is concern that referendum results might not accurately reflect the public will. Natthaphong believes that decision-making on complex international politics should rest with Parliament, not the public, to avoid additional burdens during elections.
He suggested that the government should design a deliberation process, voicing opposition to public voting on issues lacking full transparency and detail. While respecting any public decision taken through a vote, Natthaphong emphasized the importance of the pre-referendum process. Should the government proceed with the referendum, he committed to campaigning to enhance public understanding of the issues involved.