Bangkok: "Noraset" announced that on June 19th, the Senate's Committee on Political Development will convene with the President of the Constitutional Court to address the scope of the ruling on public participation in selecting the drafters of the constitution. Political party representatives are also expected to join this discussion. The committee is preparing to gather signatures from Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators to back the draft constitution before its submission to the President of Parliament. Securing 140 votes is anticipated to be challenging.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Noraset Prachyakorn, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Political Development, Public Participation, Human Rights, Freedoms, and Consumer Protection, disclosed details about the planned consultation with the President of the Constitutional Court regarding the scope of public involvement in the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) selection. The meeting, scheduled for June 19th at 10:00 AM with Mr. Nakarin Mektrirat, aims to clarify the court's ruling that Parliament cannot allow direct public election of CDC drafters. Invitation letters will be sent to political parties that have proposed constitutional amendments, urging their representatives to participate.
Mr. Noraset emphasized three core principles in the draft amendments to Article 256 of the Constitution: public participation, transparency, and checks and balances. The proposal outlines two bodies responsible for drafting the constitution, with a 200-member public consultation assembly ensuring public participation from the outset. The Parliament will select a 35-member Constitutional Drafting Committee, integrating public opinions into the draft.
Transparency is a crucial aspect, with reports to be made publicly available every 60 days. Public consultations will be broadcast live, with sensitive issues considered for confidential meetings. The drafting committee must report to Parliament every 60 days, allowing parliamentary scrutiny and debate.
Parliament's role in the draft will be limited to scrutinizing the two organizations' work, with the final power resting in the Assembly for Public Consultation. This assembly will vote to approve the constitution before sending it to the Prime Minister for a referendum.
Mr. Noraset acknowledged the difficulty in securing parliamentary support to sign the draft before it is included on the agenda in early July. Despite the challenge of obtaining 140 votes, he hopes that all drafts will be presented for discussion and gain approval in the committee stage.
Efforts to garner support have included contacting various political parties, including the Democrat Party and the People's Party, with plans to approach the Pheu Thai Party and other parties. Around 10 Senators in Mr. Noraset's group have been briefed, with further details to be presented to other Senators next week.
Mr. Noraset clarified that the meeting with Constitutional Court judges is to understand the principles and scope of the ruling on public election of drafters. He believes achieving clarity on this issue will facilitate consensus among political parties and enhance public participation.
He concluded that meeting with the judges is a step towards guaranteeing public participation from the outset, creating legitimacy and avoiding limitations on public involvement.