Bangkok: Pheu Thai Party is gearing up to submit a draft amendment to the Constitution on June 4th. Mr. Chusak Sirinil, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the Pheu Thai Party, announced plans to present the draft amendment to Article 256 of the Constitution to the Speaker of Parliament, aimed at facilitating the creation of a new constitution.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chusak revealed that the draft amendment has garnered 189 signatories, surpassing the constitutional requirement of at least one-fifth of the total number of MPs in Parliament. The signatories include 72 from the Pheu Thai Party, with additional support from coalition government and opposition parties such as the Bhumjaithai Party with 30 signatories, the Prachachon Party with 36, the Kla Tham Party with 26, the Democrat Party with 18, the Prachachat Party with 5, and the Thai Ruam Palang Party with 2.
The proposal outlines the creation of a Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA) composed of 100 members, elected from an initial pool of 300 candidates from the provinces. Of these, 52 members will be experts from various sectors including parliamentary bodies, government bodies, the judiciary, and others. The amendment also suggests forming two committees: a Constitutional Drafting Committee of CDA members and experts, and a Public Consultation Committee with CDA and media representatives.
Mr. Chusak emphasized that once the Constitutional Drafting Committee completes its draft, it will be presented to Parliament, which can propose amendments. A two-thirds majority vote is required if no amendments are made by the CDC, and a simple majority is needed for parliamentary approval of the draft.
The key points of the Pheu Thai Party's draft include maintaining Thailand's status as a unitary state governed under a democratic system with the King as head of state, while ensuring principles such as the rule of law, equality, and decentralization of power are upheld. Mr. Chusak expressed hope for cooperation among all parties to address the aspirations of the more than 21 million people who participated in the February 8th referendum, emphasizing the drafting of a new constitution as a national agenda item.