PRIME Minister and Defense Minister, Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, says there are no issues with constitutional amendments as long as they comply with the law. The President of the National Assembly, Chuan Leekpai, says he has contacted all sides ahead of the extraordinary session of parliament, scheduled for April 7 and 8, 2021, NNT said today (March 23).
Gen. Prayut said today that he had no issues with the amendments. The government had already proposed the amendment guidelines, and can either be amended entirely or section by section. However, the process must be in line with the constitution.
The Prime Minister said he doesn’t need to give orders to anyone regarding the amendment issue. There are both people with good and bad ideas. If the people are concerned that the Prime Minister may want to continue in power, they can address it. Gen. Prayut said he does not mind whether or not the people want to vote for him, adding that they can press on with the amendments.
Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, as Bhumjaithai Party leader, said his party had no objection to the charter rewrite, after the opposition parties criticized Bhumjaithai for opposing the issue. Anutin said his party had no objection to amending sections that may seem undemocratic, but the amendments must be constitutional.
In response to the three coalition parties, namely Chartthaipattana, Democrat and Bhumjaithai, working together to proceed with the amendments, Anutin said the three parities will discuss issues that are beneficial to the country and don’t go against the Constitutional Court’s ruling.
The Secretary-General of the Association to Protect the Thai Constitution (APTC), Srisuwan Janya, submitted a list of 208 members of parliament (MPs) to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), as his agency deemed that the vote in the third reading of a charter amendment bill violated the court’s ruling.
Concerning this issue, Chuan said the matter will have to continue within the law. He explained that the procedures were in compliance with the rules and regulations. Those involved in the allegations must prepare to prove their claims. The vote in the third reading followed a motion of Palang Pracharath Party MP, Paiboon Nititawan, with other legislators having approved his motion.
Concerning the extraordinary parliamentary session, set for April 7 and 8, the President of the National Assembly said he had discussed the issue with all sides – the government, the opposition and the senate, as well as chairman of the committee scrutinizing the referendum bill, Surachai Liengboonlertchai. Surachai had confirmed that his committee will be able to complete its task within the time frame.
