Bangkok: The Democrat Party has put forward a draft amendment to the Constitution, stipulating a 3/5 majority vote requirement without emphasizing the need for Senate support.
According to Thai News Agency, the proposal includes forming a Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) comprising 100 members. These members will be selected through a public poll across provinces, narrowed down by Parliament to 80 members, with an additional 20 individuals chosen from the judiciary and academic fields.
Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, MP and leader of the Democrat Party, acknowledged the challenges in proposing constitutional amendments, as the party initially lacked the support of 100 Members of Parliament. Following consultations with other political parties facing similar constraints, they successfully gathered the requisite signatures to submit two draft amendments.
The first proposal aims to amend the duties and powers of Parliament (Article 156) and revise Chapter 15, focusing on drafting a new constitution. This move is in response to the Constitutional Court's ruling that a Constitutional Drafting Assembly cannot be directly elected by the people. The Democrat Party also considers concerns from citizens about amendments to Chapters 1 and 2 of the Constitution, emphasizing that these chapters are not unamendable but should be addressed separately to ensure clarity.
Mr. Abhisit highlighted the party's desire for public involvement in the CDC selection process. Instead of a traditional parliamentary election, they propose a procedural polling system in each province, facilitated by the Election Commission. This system would enable citizens to vote using mobile phones, with government support available for those without access to mobile devices.
The Constitutional Drafting Assembly is set to include 100 members, with 80 selected from provincial nominations through electronic polls. To prevent political group dominance, each MP will have a single vote to choose the 80 members. The remaining 20 members will be experts, including judges and academics, who will contribute to drafting the constitution within 240 days, followed by public consultation.
Mr. Abhisit explained that after public feedback, the draft will return to Parliament for approval. Parliament has the option to approve or request amendments. If concerns arise, the CDC will decide whether to accommodate Parliament's suggestions. Ultimately, a 3/5 majority vote in Parliament is required for approval, avoiding potential conflicts that could dissolve Parliament. Following approval, a referendum will be held.
The second proposed amendment addresses the principles and methods for constitutional amendments (Article 256), emphasizing a 3/5 majority vote in Parliament. It does not specify the number of Senators or opposition MPs required for approval, aligning with the Democrat Party's stance against the 2017 Constitution's emphasis on minority input and judicial considerations.