House speaker recommends fast-track charter rewrite

**sabang** · 25-08-2011, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by Butterfly

it really sounds like this government is going to be short lived

Why do you say that- they have an absolute majority, and a safe one. So what Parliamentary procedures can bring them down? Only if Yingluck loses the trust of her own party. Or of course, yet another illegal and treasonous coup, which is what you are probably referring to. Sorry to tell you but the Military has lost all appetite for that, given the results of the last one. It seems they have considerably more nous than the Democrats and their more extreme establishment backers.

Originally Posted by Butterfly

rushing through reforms faster than they can go

The Military 'constitution' is illegitimate, born of a capital crime, and foisted on the people of Thailand by the Army jackboot. The standard babble that it is legitimate because of the "Referendum" is just plain nonsense- the peoples 'democratic choice' was to accept the military 'constitution' as foisted on them, or the army would just pick an old Thai military constitution for itself.

Peoples calls for justice and accountability are well justified, but imo more important is that the illegitimate military constitution is ejected and ruled illegal. It belongs in the garbage from which it came.

**LooseBowels** · 26-08-2011, 03:20 AM

Originally Posted by sabang

It belongs in the garbage from which it came.

And so does Butterfly, Gerbil, Buk, TH, long, pete, and the rest of the PAD yellow nutters lurking round these parts

You can't argue with that.

**StrontiumDog** · 30-08-2011, 11:26 AM

Bangkok Post : Abhisit says amnesty will not be tolerated

Abhisit says amnesty will not be tolerated

Published: 30/08/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday reaffirmed the party's opposition to Pheu Thai's attempt to rewrite the constitution if there was any hidden agenda leading to amnesty for politicians in the government camp.

The ruling Pheu Thai Party plans to amend Section 291 of the 2007 constitution in a bid to pave the way for the appointment of a new constitution drafting assembly.

Section 291 spells out the methods and guidelines on how to amend the constitution. The assembly is expected to rewrite the entire constitution later on. The party also plans to hold a referendum to seek public consent for the charter and the newly amended draft.

Mr Abhisit said his party has been worried that constitutional change would be a precursor for political amnesty, a move to dissolve certain scrutinising bodies and an attempt to undermine key institutions in the country.

The Democrats would look into details of the changes as well as the methods of amendment.

The government recently affirmed to the public that charter amendment would not have anything to do with a political amnesty. So the Democrats would have to keep an eye on further developments in the amendments, Mr Abhisit said.

"I want the government to reaffirm to the public as well that there will be no political amnesty," he said.

To revise the constitution, the coalition government was expected to first discuss the amendment plan among coalition partners. The government should then ensure the public that the revisions would not lead to political disputes.

On a report that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has told international reporters in Japan that he was ready to return to Thailand and lead the country if the Thai public wanted him to do so, Mr Abhisit said that Thaksin's potential return would certainly be related to a political amnesty.

There are still many barriers blocking the government's efforts to grant amnesty to politicians who have been convicted of political offences, Mr Abhisit said.

Opinion surveys showed the public is concerned about political amnesty, he said. It it not an urgent issue either. The government should give priority to efforts to address people's well-being and natural disasters.

Mr Abhisit said he was concerned about gatherings of red shirt supporters putting pressure on non-political organisations, particularly those involved in the judicial process. Pressure from political rallies could undermine the public's confidence in those organisations' ability to make decisions fairly.

**StrontiumDog** · 30-08-2011, 11:28 AM

Bangkok Post : Govt to form charter drafting assembly

Govt to form charter drafting assembly

Published: 30/08/2011 at 10:16 AM
Online news:

A constitution drafting assembly will be set up to decide what changes need to be made to the current charter, PM's Office Minister Surawit Khonsomboon said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister's Minister Surawit Khonsomboon

"There is a need to amend the charter and the government will set up a constitution drafting assembly, whose responsibility will be to determine what issues should be amended.

"After the charter is amended, I believe the country will move forward and become more democratic," Mr Surawit said.

**Calgary** · 30-08-2011, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by Bangkok Post

Mr Abhisit said he was concerned about gatherings of red shirt supporters putting pressure on non-political organisations, particularly those involved in the judicial process. Pressure from political rallies could undermine the public's confidence in those organisations' ability to make decisions fairly.__________________

That confidence was undermined a long time ago under Abhi's unelected regime.

The effort to re-balance these entities is long overdue.

The big difference now, is that it occurs under the auspices of a legitimate Democratic Govt.

**Calgary** · 30-08-2011, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Bangkok Post : Govt to form charter drafting assembly

Govt to form charter drafting assembly

Published: 30/08/2011 at 10:16 AM
Online news:

A constitution drafting assembly will be set up to decide what changes need to be made to the current charter, PM's Office Minister Surawit Khonsomboon said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister's Minister Surawit Khonsomboon

"There is a need to amend the charter and the government will set up a constitution drafting assembly, whose responsibility will be to determine what issues should be amended.

"After the charter is amended, I believe the country will move forward and become more democratic," Mr Surawit said.

Wow, a photo of my neighbor (actually a block away)

His daughter is married to a British guy.

Visited with the in-laws from London at the wedding.

Good for him and good luck in his efforts to replace a coup/military constitution with a legitimate one.

**StrontiumDog** · 30-08-2011, 02:13 PM

Bangkok Post : Charter change 'during this govt'

Charter change 'during this govt'

Published: 30/08/2011 at 12:35 PM
Online news: Local News

Constitutional amendment will be completed during this government's tenure, Deputy Prime Minister overseeing justice and media Chalerm Yubamrung said on Tuesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung (Photo by Chanat Katanyu)

Mr Chalerm said the Pheu Thai Party will propose an amendment to Article 291 of the current 2007 constitution, which sets guidelines and methods for amending the charter.

Once Article 291 is amended, the government would be able to set up a constitution drafting assembly (CDA).

He said the assembly would comprise 99 members and there would be a referendum to seek people's opinions on the charter change.

"[Former prime minister] Thaksin Shinawatra will defintely not gain benefits from the charter change," the deputy prime minister said.

**StrontiumDog** · 30-08-2011, 02:21 PM

"[Former prime minister] Thaksin Shinawatra will defintely not gain benefits from the charter change," the deputy prime minister said."

Remember those words....

Although I guess he could just say it was a ploy/strategy/whatever later and he didn't mean it.... as he has done with other proclamations he has made.

**LooseBowels** · 31-08-2011, 05:02 AM

^ Don't be such a dick.

Its only democratically and constitutionally correct that the democratically elected PM returns to resume his PM ship,

You can't have right wing murderess junta amart faschist nutters running riot and trampling all over the countries democrartic legal institutions.

Have you forgot about coup-issued law, and live fire zones?

Dozy old fart

**The Bold Rodney** · 31-08-2011, 07:45 AM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Remember those words....

Although I guess he could just say it was a ploy/strategy/whatever later and he didn't mean it.... as he has done with other proclamations he has made.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz "seriously dumb" doing his usual!

**The Bold Rodney** · 31-08-2011, 07:50 AM

Originally Posted by Butterfly

it really sounds like this government is going to be short lived

It wasn't long ago you were posting they wouldn't be elected...later it was "they bought their votes'...followed by there will be a swift military coup....time to change your medication "pupa" despite vying with "social" for the TD wanker of the year award!

**Calgary** · 31-08-2011, 09:51 AM

[QUOTE="The Bangkok Post[B]"]"[Former prime minister] Thaksin Shinawatra will defintely not gain benefits from the charter change," the deputy prime minister said[/[/B]QUOTE]

Not sure what this verbal kowtowing to the PAD/Amart agenda accomplishes, but words are easily spoken.

We will see where this goes.

The electorate is not wrapped up in the PAD/ASTV paranoia as their voting actions showed.

The PADites repeating this agenda interminably does not resonate with anyone but their own minority crowd who were soundly rejected.

Thaksin was never far removed from the voters mind when the vast majority cast votes in his favor.

**StrontiumDog** · 31-08-2011, 12:56 PM

Banharn: Right timing needed for charter revision : National News Bureau of Thailand

Banharn: Right timing needed for charter revision

BANGKOK, 31 August 2011 (NNT) – Chart Thai Pattana Party Chief Advisor and former Prime Minister Banharn Silapa-archa has suggested that the government should be thorough in the constitutional amendment process and wait for an appropriate timing to do so.

Speaking about charter revision which would enable the government to appoint the third Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA), Mr Banharn voiced his agreement in this issue and suggested that it should be made thoroughly. He however admitted that some people might have strong objection against the charter revision effort.

Asked about reports that the Pheu Thai Party expects to start the charter revision process in December, the ex-prime minister responded that he had no opinion in this issue because he was not inside the government. He said the constitutional amendment could be made if needed but must be done at the right timing.

Mr Banharn believed that the CDA would be neutral, including representatives from all provinces and 20 other experts required to set up a 99-member assembly. He said he did not know if the newly rewritten charter would be accepted or not but the society had already accepted the one written by the coup’s CDA.

Asked if the 1997 Constitution should be used as the model for amendment, the Chart Thai Pattana chief advisor answered that he did not know but he said the good things should be retained while those with flaws should be amended.

Asked if this charter revision issue would shorten the life of the new government, Mr Banharn voiced no concerns over this issue because there should be no problem if the charter was better after the amendment process. He then stressed again that it should be made at the right timing.

**Calgary** · 31-08-2011, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by NNB of Thailand[B]

".........but the society had already accepted the one written by the coup’s CDA. [/B]

I wonder what "society" he is referring to.

Originally Posted by NNB of Thailand

"......Asked if this charter revision issue would shorten the life of the new government,

Again repeating the Amart wishful thinkingl, anti-democratic mantra of timeframes.

Repetition of such timeframes is a clear indication that both, they have not internalized the electoral results, and are pining for an undemocratic end to this Electoral Democracy nonsense.

**noelbino** · 31-08-2011, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by LooseBowels

Originally Posted by sabang

It belongs in the garbage from which it came.

And so does Butterfly, Gerbil, Buk, TH, long, pete, and the rest of the PAD yellow nutters lurking round these parts

You can't argue with that.

They certainly won't allow you into this intelligent think tank.

**StrontiumDog** · 01-09-2011, 10:10 PM

Thai-ASEAN News Network

Bhum Jai Thai Opposes Independent Agencies Reform

UPDATE : 1 September 2011

The Bhum Jai Thai Party spokesman has urged the government to reconsider its plan to amend Articles in the Constitution concerning independent agencies.

Bhum Jai Thai Party spokesman Supachai Jaisamut has requested that the Pheu Thai-led government reconsider its attempt to amend Articles in the Constitution concerning independent agencies.

He strongly opposed the government's attempt to lower independent agencies' significance, saying the agencies were established according to the 1997 Charter to establish a checks and balances mechanism beyond the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Supachai said that independent agencies have performed their duties well.

Problems have been caused by individuals within the agencies.

**StrontiumDog** · 02-09-2011, 05:38 PM

Bangkok Post : Referendum on new charter early 2013

Referendum on new charter early 2013

Published: 2/09/2011 at 04:30 PM
Online news:

A constitution drafting assembly will be formed next April and the new draft charter should be ready for a referendum in early 2013, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont said on Friday.

Mr Somsak said drafting process would begin with the amendment of Section 291 of the present constitution to form the drafting assembly. The assembly would comprise 99 drafters, 77 of them elected in their respective provinces and the rest selected experts.

According to Mr Somsak, the formation of the assembly should be completed next April. The assembly would then work out a whole new constitution and the government and the parliament would not have a hand in the drafting.

Then a referendum on the new charter would be held, approximately in early 2013.

Mr Somsak said the Thai political crisis resulted partly from the 1997 constitution and the 2007 charter, which was not democratic.

Asked if the new constitution would bring about an amnesty for punished politicians, Mr Somsak said the decision would rest with people. The new charter would not be designed to favour a particular person.

He urged all parties to have their say in the new constitution and said he believed that a fairer charter would settle problems.

**StrontiumDog** · 02-09-2011, 05:39 PM

^ That's sounding more positive. I hope it is as good as it sounds...

**Calgary** · 02-09-2011, 05:48 PM

[quote="Bangkok Post"]Asked if the new constitution would bring about an amnesty for politicians, Mr Somsak said the decision would rest with people. The new charter would not be designed to favour a particular person.[/QUOTE]

Abhi. and Suthep must be shaking in their flip-flops.

Not sure a new constitution will absolve them of Ratchaprasong.

**Mr Lick** · 02-09-2011, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Asked if the new constitution would bring about an amnesty for punished politicians, Mr Somsak said the decision would rest with people. The new charter would not be designed to favour a particular person.

Of course Thaksin will not be named personally in the charter, his case will come under the 'any person' clause. The purpose however, will be precisely the same.

**SteveCM** · 07-09-2011, 11:58 AM

From the blog world.....

What of Puea Thai

What of Puea Thai’s plans to amend the constitution? An UPDATE

By Bangkok Pundit
Sep 06, 2011

In an update to the post last week about Puea Thai’s plans to amend the constitution and complaints that they were prioritizing constitutional amendments/rushing into constitutional amendments, as BP noted in that post when you listened to what Yingluck said the amendments were not expected to be completed within one year and BP noted that talk of substantives amendments was at least 6 months and possibly longer away. Late last week, the Bangkok Post carried a story with an update on the timeline:

A constitution drafting assembly will be formed next April and the new draft charter will be ready for a referendum in early 2013, said House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont.

Mr Somsak said yesterday the constitution drafting process would begin with an amendment to Section 291 of the charter to establish a drafting assembly.

The assembly would comprise 99 drafters, 77 of whom will be elected from their respective provinces, with the rest being selected experts.

Mr Somsak said the formation of the assembly should be completed by April.

The assembly will produce a whole new draft constitution.

The government and parliament will not have a hand in the drafting process, he insisted.

Once the draft is finished, a referendum would be held in early 2013 .

BP: Hence, there should be no street protests over constitutional amendments to substantive provisions anytime soon and if Thaksin coming home is dependent on constitutional reforms* then we are well over one year away from that happening….

*As opposed to a pardon which has been submitted….

**nostromo** · 07-09-2011, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Bangkok Post : Referendum on new charter early 2013

Referendum on new charter early 2013

Published: 2/09/2011 at 04:30 PM
Online news:

A constitution drafting assembly will be formed next April and the new draft charter should be ready for a referendum in early 2013, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont said on Friday.

Mr Somsak said drafting process would begin with the amendment of Section 291 of the present constitution to form the drafting assembly. The assembly would comprise 99 drafters, 77 of them elected in their respective provinces and the rest selected experts.

According to Mr Somsak, the formation of the assembly should be completed next April. The assembly would then work out a whole new constitution and the government and the parliament would not have a hand in the drafting.

Then a referendum on the new charter would be held, approximately in early 2013.

Mr Somsak said the Thai political crisis resulted partly from the 1997 constitution and the 2007 charter, which was not democratic.

Asked if the new constitution would bring about an amnesty for punished politicians, Mr Somsak said the decision would rest with people. The new charter would not be designed to favour a particular person.

He urged all parties to have their say in the new constitution and said he believed that a fairer charter would settle problems.

It is quite clear that military constitution is in a word, bad, existing just to give no jail pass to military coup members. Thailand should go to 1997 "Peoples constitution"

**StrontiumDog** · 14-09-2011, 03:13 PM

Govt trying to curbe the checks and balances: Democrats

Govt trying to curbe the checks and balances: Democrats

Published on September 14, 2011

The Democrat Party has voiced suspicion that the government is moving to curb the system of checks and balances by limiting the mandate of the judiciary and independent organisations to counterbalance the executive power.

The Cabinet might have a hidden agenda in forming the Commission on the Rule of Law headed by Professor Ukrit Mongkolnavin, Democrat deputy spokesman Sakoltee Phattiyakol said on Wednesday.

"Ukrit's integrity as a legal scholar is not in question but the government's ulterior motive is being questioned," he said.

He said his main opposition party suspected that the Ukrit commission might be a pretext for the government to amend the charter in order to rein in the courts and independent organisations set up by organic laws.

The Nation

**StrontiumDog** · 19-09-2011, 12:56 AM

All legal traces of 2006 coup should be removed: academics

All legal traces of 2006 coup should be removed: academics

By Samatcha Hunsara,
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation
Published on September 19, 2011

'Decrees should be revoked, charter rewritten subject to a referendum'

Legal scholars, known as the Nitirat Group, issued a statement yesterday calling for the expunging of all records and judicial decisions originating from the 2006 coup, as Thailand marks the fifth anniversary of the military takeover amid lingering concern about the armed forces' role in politics.

The group, led by Thammasat University law lecturer Worachet Pakeerut, outlined steps it said could restore the country as if the seizure of power had never happened.

In the first step, all decrees and actions taken by the junta should be nullified. To accomplish this, the government should undertake to:

ldeclare a cancellation of the coup and the junta's decrees and actions from Sept 19 to Sept 30, 2006 before installation of the transitional government;

ldeclare Articles 36 and 37 of the 2006 Interim Constitution null and void, to end sanction of the coup;

ldeclare a revocation of all judicial decisions by the Supreme Court and the Constitution originated by coup decrees;

ldeclare the termination of all legal proceedings initiated by the Assets Examination Committee;

lexpunge records not tantamount to a pardon or an amnesty under which the accused can still be prosecuted under due process;

lrewrite the charter subject to a referendum.

For the second step, Article 112 of the Criminal Code should be revised to ensure a balance between any offence against the monarchy and the punishment.

For the third step, the government should ensure the restoration, including compensation payments, for victims of political violence that resulted from the coup. The blanket amnesty should not be enforced with an ulterior motive to help perpetrators of violence. But all suspects should be able to avail themselves of due process.

In the fourth and final step, the Constitution should be repealed due to its link to the coup. The charter rewrite should be based on four suspended charters - two promulgated in 1927, one in 1946 and one in 1997.

The draft charter should be put to a referendum vote before the promulgation.

On Saturday, the red shirts held a symposium to reiterate their stance against military intervention in politics and warned that the 2006 coup that toppled Thaksin Shinawatra was unlikely to be the last.

Thammasat economist Assoc Prof Pichit Likhitkijsomboon, a staunch supporter of Thaksin, claimed coupmakers might this time act under the pretext of martial law after forging a war with a neighbouring country.

Pheu Thai party-list MP Col Apiwan Wiriyachai, another panellist at the event organised at the Royal Hotel by the June 24 Group for Democracy and Thailand Mirror, urged the Thai public to rise against any future coup. Apiwan told red shirts to be vigilant. "The next three to four years will be crucial," he said. Apiwan also launched fierce attacks on Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda.

Pichit claimed a new charter to replace the junta-sponsored 2007 charter was necessary to do away with unchecked power of the "elites" in the Senate and various so-called independent organisations.

Pol General Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj, a former deputy police chief, urged the judicial system to refuse to recognise any future coup makers as legitimate.

The panel concluded that a "time-frame" for ousting the Yingluck administration may be six months.

**LooseBowels** · 19-09-2011, 05:53 AM

^ glad to see the academics are taking a lead fom Khun LooseBowels democratic divinity

Thread: House speaker recommends fast-track charter rewrite

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