Bangkok: Parliament met for the second day to discuss significant constitutional amendments. The session saw a sparse attendance from Members of Parliament (MPs) in the House of Representatives, in contrast to the strong presence of Senators.
According to Thai News Agency, the special joint meeting was convened to deliberate on the draft Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, focusing on Amendment (No. …) B.E. …, Section 256, and Amendment 15/1, aimed at preparing a new draft constitution. The drafts under consideration were proposed by the People’s Party, Pheu Thai Party, and Bhumjaithai Party. Mr. Wan Muhammad Noor Matha, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, presided over the meeting, which highlighted the uneven attendance between MPs and Senators.
Mr. Anusorn Iamsaard, a Pheu Thai Party MP, emphasized the importance of a constitution written with the people’s interests in mind. He remarked that a constitution becomes a mere piece of paper if the people’s voices are not heard, advocating fo
r amendments that restore power to the Thai people. Anusorn stressed that the constitution should serve as a national agreement for coexistence rather than a tool for political gain.
Anusorn reiterated that the Pheu Thai Party is committed to fighting for a people’s constitution, aiming to restore dignity to all Thai citizens. He argued that a country’s greatness relies not only on capable governance but also on the people’s active participation. Anusorn likened the current constitution to an outdated smartphone, underscoring the need for amendments that are relevant and effective, thus preventing a “random-box constitution.”
The Pheu Thai Party proposed a citizen-centric approach to constitutional amendments, advocating for the establishment of a citizen’s council based on deliberative democracy principles. They also recommended forming a panel of experts to ensure transparency and impartiality in the process. Anusorn emphasized that the referendum should be an inclusive forum for ideas, accessible to all,
regardless of financial status, marking the amendments as a collaborative learning process for all Thais.