The parliamentary committee reviewing three charter amendment bills can propose changes during its scrutiny to avoid the final draft conflicting with the Constitutional Court’s ruling, said Prime Minister’s Office Minister Paradorn Prissanananthakul.
He was reacting yesterday to concerns after the People’s Party-sponsored bill was adopted as the main version for deliberation.
According to critics, the PP’s charter amendment bill lacks protection for Chapters 1 and 2 of the current constitution and risks violating the charter due to the proposed origin of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA).
Chapter 1 contains sections that define Thailand as a single, indivisible kingdom with a democratic regime and establishes the King as the head of state, while Chapter 2 outlines royal prerogatives.
The CDA model proposed by the PP comprises a 35-member panel responsible for drafting the new charter and a 100-member advisory council to collect public opinion. The 35 drafters are to be elected by parliament from a pool of 70 individuals elected by voters, while the advisers are directly elected by voters.
Mr Paradorn said even if the PP’s version is used as the main draft, as a committee member, he will raise these major concerns during the committee’s deliberation so the final draft is not in violation of the ruling and thus passes the third reading.
The Bhumjaithai minister also expressed confidence that the parliament committee can finish deliberation within the political timeline after the Referendum Act was royally endorsed.
Under the new Referendum Act already published in the Royal Gazette and set to take effect today, a referendum can be held on the same day as the general election or local elections to save on costs.
For a referendum to pass, it requires a simple majority, and at least 60-150 days are needed between the announcement of the referendum and the vote.
Mr Paradorn added that the political timeline is expected to proceed as planned, with the House dissolution expected on Jan 31.
Under a deal between Bhumjaithai and the PP in exchange for the latter’s support for Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul to become prime minister, Mr Anutin must dissolve the House within four months of delivering the government’s policy statement.