Bangkok: “Jaturon” views the 20-member, 1-member formula as opening the door for political parties and senators to appoint people to draft the constitution. Chaturon pointed out that the 20-pick-1 formula opens the door for political parties and senators to appoint those drafting the constitution. He suggested adjusting the selection proportions to focus on specific areas of expertise. The chairman of the Constitutional Drafting Committee stated the reasoning was to avoid contradicting the Constitutional Court’s ruling.

According to Thai News Agency, the joint session of Parliament, an extraordinary session, proceeded to consider the draft amendment to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, focusing on Article 256/2 concerning the procedures for applying to be selected as a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee. The committee amended the article to require applicants to submit an application along with supporting documents, a statement of vision, and a list of at least 100 supporters to the Election Commission. The list of applicants must then be submitted to Parliament for public scrutiny, adhering to criteria set by the President of Parliament.

During the discussion, minority committee members from the Pheu Thai party reserved their opinions and advocated for amendments, citing concerns that the majority’s conditions might hinder the selection process for constitution drafters. Mr. Chaturon Chaisang, a Pheu Thai Party MP and minority committee member, argued that the proposed mechanism might attract many applicants, but political parties would likely have pre-selected candidates. This lack of transparency could lead to a sluggish selection process.

Mr. Chaturon further expressed concerns about the “20-pick-1” formula, suggesting it might limit the pool of qualified individuals and concentrate certain qualifications, thus reducing diverse expertise among drafters. The Pheu Thai Party proposes dividing drafters into two groups, with Parliament selecting individuals based on specific qualifications to enhance the drafting process.

The proposal also raises concerns about limited public participation and the possibility of the parliamentary majority controlling the constitution’s direction. Mr. Nattawut Buaprathum, a People’s Party MP and committee chairman, explained that the amendments emphasize public participation. Candidates must have 100 supporters, undergo a verification process, present their vision, and disclose their background, ensuring the amendments pass without needing Constitutional Court interpretation.

Mr. Chaturon reiterated the need for democratic elections and criticized party members who abstained from voting, emphasizing the importance of adhering to original stances. Mr. Nattawut clarified his previous statements, explaining he couldn’t express specific opinions as committee chairman, but the summary reflected the committee’s resolution.