Bangkok: The parliament voted with a majority of 304 in favor of sending the matter of constitutional amendment to the Constitutional Court for interpretation. This decision marks a significant step in the legislative process, focusing on the duties and powers of the parliament as outlined in Section 210, paragraph one (2) of the constitution.
According to Thai News Agency, the parliamentary meeting was chaired by Mr. Mongkol Surassajja, the vice president of the parliament. In the final moments before the vote, Mr. Sutin Khlangsaeng, a Member of Parliament for the Pheu Thai Party, emphasized the importance of strategic thinking and mindfulness in amending the constitution. He argued that rushing without wisdom could lead to negative outcomes, warning against reckless decisions and highlighting the need for intelligence and patience in legislative processes.
Mr. Sutin articulated his concern that without proper strategy and mindfulness, legislative efforts could falter. He stressed the importance of being able to distinguish friends from foes in the political arena and encouraged his colleagues to be strategic and patient, especially when dealing with constitutional matters. He also referenced the necessity of balancing courage and wisdom, underscoring that democracy requires more than mere bravery; it requires a strategic approach.
In response, Mr. Wiroj challenged the notion of wisdom in the process, questioning whether the Constitutional Court’s interpretation would truly allow progress. He acknowledged Mr. Sutin’s bravery and wisdom but doubted the effectiveness of these traits in the context of constitutional amendments. Mr. Wiroj expressed his willingness to cooperate for the sake of moving forward, albeit with skepticism about the process’s wisdom.
The voting concluded with 304 votes in favor of the motion, 150 against, 124 abstentions, and 1 member choosing not to vote. The decision to seek the Constitutional Court’s interpretation reflects the ongoing debates and divergent views within the parliament regarding the best approach to constitutional amendments.