Bangkok: Thepthai Senpong, a prominent political observer, has called for an amendment to Thailand's 2017 Constitution, highlighting the need for a newly drafted document that aligns with international standards. He advocates for the establishment of a Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA) to be composed of directly elected members, reflecting the people's desire for a more democratic framework.

According to Thai News Agency, Thepthai shared his views on his Facebook page, "Thepthai - Political Talk," emphasizing that the results of a recent referendum, where 21.6 million voters expressed support for constitutional amendments, clearly indicate public demand for change. He argues that the 2017 Constitution, with its unique self-elected Senate system, is a significant barrier to national development and effective governance.

On September 7, 2026, Professor Dr. Nakarin Mektrirat, former President of the Constitutional Court, addressed an academic seminar organized by the National Defence College, where he critiqued the Thai political system. He pinpointed the Senate's self-selection process as a major flaw, lacking political legitimacy, and echoed sentiments of regret expressed by Mr. Meechai Ruchupan, the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee in 2017.

Dr. Nakarin's observations highlight several shortcomings of the current constitution, such as its role in facilitating power succession by the NCPO regime and its failure to curb corruption despite being touted as an anti-corruption measure. The constitution's implementation has exacerbated existing issues, prompting widespread agreement among the public for its amendment.

The overwhelming referendum results have silenced critics of constitutional reform, reinforcing the call for a new, democratic constitution. Thepthai insists that the drafting process must involve a directly elected Constitutional Assembly to ensure the new constitution genuinely represents and is accountable to the Thai people.

This call to action presents an opportunity for Thai citizens to address the systemic flaws of the 2017 Constitution and work collaboratively towards establishing a more democratic and internationally recognized constitutional framework.