Thailand moves on setting up constitution drafting assembly

Written by Writer on Monday, October 27th, 2008

Thailand moves on setting up constitution drafting assembly

BANGKOK, Oct 26 (TNA) — In an attempt to speed up the process to amending the 2007 constitution, a government committee tasked with amending article 291 which is designed to pave the way for rewriting the charter has completed its work and will forward it to whips in the coalition government, Sukhumpong Ngonkam, minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office said on Sunday.

Mr. Sukhumpong, who also chairs the committee to amend Article 291, said that after government whips have approved the document, the proposed amendment must be endorsed by members of parliament and then to House Speaker Chai Chidchob so that it could be put on the House agenda for full meeting.

The entire process is expected to be completed within this week, he said, indicating that it is hoped that the issue could be debated by House members during the current session.

On Tuesday the House will be fully occupied with the initial Cambodia-Thai agreement reached by senior Thai and Cambodian military officers Friday aimed at finding ways to end armed clashes between the two countries, particularly in relation to the ancient Preah Vihear temple, said Mr. Sukhumpong.

He denied that the plan to establish a constitution drafting assembly (CDA) to rewrite the 2007 charter could worsen political turmoil in Thailand as charged by opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. The planned seting up of the constitutional assembly will be a way out of the current political turbulence under the democratic system, said Mr. Sukhumpong. (TNA)