Political tension is rising ahead of next week’s first meeting of the constitutional amendment committee, with both the People’s Party (PP) and Pheu Thai preparing to field their own candidates for the chairmanship — a contest that could shape the next phase of Thailand’s charter rewrite.
The PP announced plans to nominate list-MP Nutthawut Buaprathum for the chairmanship, while Pheu Thai will nominate senior figure Chousak Sirinil, a former minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, to contest the post. PP spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu said the chairmanship position should go to their representative since their draft has been adopted as the principal version for parliamentary deliberation.
“I am not yet aware whether other parties will nominate their own candidates, but from the People’s Party’s perspective, since our draft is the main version, it is appropriate that the People’s Party should chair the committee and we nominate Mr Nutthawut for the position,” he said.
If other parties also put forward nominees, a vote will be held, though Mr Parit believes it will not hinder the committee’s work. He said the committee will meet for the first time on Monday to set its working framework, with a two-month deadline to finalise the draft before returning it to parliament for the second and third readings.
Mr Parit said the process should focus on substantive discussion and compromise among members rather than political rivalry. “Whoever becomes chair is less important than achieving a draft that reflects public aspirations. Ultimately, people will decide through a referendum,” he said, adding that the committee must ensure the final version aligns with the public’s expectations and can pass both parliament and a national vote.
Veteran election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn cautioned opposition parties against overconfidence in securing the PP’s draft as the main version, warning that the bill could still fail at the third reading if it lacks sufficient Senate support. Under Section 256 of the 2017 constitution, any amendment must secure not only a majority in the Lower House but also at least one-third of the Senate, or 66 votes.
Mr Somchai also reminded lawmakers of a previous failure when Pheu Thai’s draft was rejected in the first reading after falling short of the required Senate votes.