Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno confirmed on Tuesday that the government’s plan to dissolve the House of Representatives within four months remains unchanged, despite growing political debate over the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Mr Borwornsak, in charge of the government’s legal affairs, reaffirmed that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s previously stated timeline, calling for a House dissolution by January 2026, still stands.
Mr Borwornsak’s comments came amid renewed scrutiny of the government’s roadmap to amend the constitution and hold a referendum on rewriting the constitution, together with a new general election.
He dismissed speculation that current political tensions could derail the timeline, reiterating that “everything remains on schedule”.
Meanwhile, Parit Wacharasindhu, a list-MP and deputy spokesman for the opposition People’s Party (PP), said the enactment of the 2025 Referendum Act ensures the process can move forward smoothly.
Mr Parit serves on the parliamentary committee studying amendments to Sections 156 and 256 and the proposed new Chapter 15/1 on rewriting the constitution.
The government, he said, is still working within the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed between the ruling Bhumjaithai Party and the PP, targeting a House dissolution by Jan 31, followed by a national referendum held alongside the general election in late March.
Mr Parit said the referendum will pose two key questions, as outlined by the Constitutional Court, and parliament must approve the charter amendment bill in its third reading by the end of December.
The committee, he added, aims to complete its deliberations swiftly, even considering a special parliamentary session if necessary.
He acknowledged ongoing efforts to reconcile differing views among members to ensure a broad consensus, as passage of the amendment requires more than half of all MPs and senators, including 20% of opposition members and one-third of the Senate.
However, Mr Parit voiced concern about logistical challenges to the charter referendum for early voting, saying that the Referendum Act does not clearly address advance voting procedures.
He said the House Political Development Committee plans to invite the Election Commission for consultations on how to allow citizens who vote early to also participate in the referendum.
The MP also said discussions this week would focus on finalising the model for the constitution drafting assembly (CDA), as the two accepted draft versions differ significantly.
The sub-committee is reviewing both to find a framework that aligns with the Constitutional Court’s previous rulings and promotes inclusive public participation, he said.
In contrast, former senator Direkrit Jenkrongtham petitioned the Office of the Ombudsman on Tuesday to refer the matter to the Constitutional Court.
It argued that parliament’s decision to proceed with charter amendments without holding a prior referendum violates the 2021 court ruling (No.4/2564).
That decision stated that parliament has no authority to rewrite the entire charter without first seeking public consent.