Bangkok: Senator Pisit Apiwattanapong has expressed his hope that the government will adhere to its policy statement, steering clear of the shortcomings of the previous administration, which failed to act on its proposals. He emphasized that, if the next four months can effectively compensate for the past two years, the effort will be justified. Additionally, he cautioned political parties against proposing constitutional amendments that could potentially violate the current ruling.
According to Thai News Agency, Senator Pisit addressed the policy statement at Parliament House, revealing that a meeting of the three whips is scheduled for 2:00 PM on September 25. The primary focus will be on the time frame, after which the Senate will distribute debating time among interested senators. Currently, 20-30 senators have shown interest in participating in the debate, with the amount of time allotted to each dependent on the total hours available.
In response to questions about his expectations, Mr. Pisit expressed his hope that the current government will implement what it proposes, unlike its predecessor. Although he considers four months a short period, he believes it would be valuable if it compensates for the past two years. When asked about preparations for a potential constitutional discussion, Mr. Pisit stated that no preparations are in place due to restrictions under Section 256. He noted that any party's proposal, such as Bhumjaithai Party's draft, could face complaints and risks.
Regarding potential constitutional violations, Mr. Pisit stressed the importance of caution among MPs, particularly concerning the ruling that prevents direct public election of the Constituent Assembly. He believes that the Senate might pass the first reading, but Sections 1 and 2 should remain unchanged. He concluded with a reminder to be vigilant about ethical considerations and apparent dishonesty in politics.