The parliamentary committee reviewing the constitutional amendment bill held its first meeting on Monday, electing Nutthawut Buaprathum, a list-MP from the People’s Party (PP), as chairman via a secret ballot.
Of the 43 members, 40 attended. Mr Nutthawut won by 25 votes to 12, with three abstentions, defeating Chousak Sirinil, a Pheu Thai list-MP.
Three deputy chairmen were named: Chawengsak Rengpaiboonwong (Bhumjaithai), Pol Col Tawee Sodsong (Prachachat), and Senator Premsak Piayura. Ausorn Kaewwichien (PP) was appointed committee secretary.
Spokespersons include senators Norasate Prachyakorn and Phisit Apivatanapong, Phanida Mongkolsawat (PP), and Ekaporn Rakkwamsuk (Pheu Thai).
The panel will meet three times a week from Oct 22. Only 11 meetings are scheduled before the draft’s second reading in late November.
The PP’s bill proposes a constitution drafting assembly (CDA) of 35 members selected by parliament from 70 candidates elected by the public, plus a 100-member advisory council chosen from all provinces.
Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno last week proposed holding the referendum and general election on March 29 next year to reduce costs and comply with the four-month roadmap agreed under the memorandum between Bhumjaithai and the PP, following the latter’s support for Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister.