Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana, deputy leader of the United Thai Nation Party (UTN), caught everyone’s attention at a parliament meeting held on July 13, 2023. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
The political landscape in Thailand is heating up as coalition partner UTN has raised a ruckus over the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the main opposition People’s Party (PP) attempt to amend sections of the 2017 constitution. A significant sticking point? The sections regarding the ethical standards for political officeholders.
The intention behind Sections 160(4) and (5) of the 2017 charter was to act as a moral gatekeeper, ensuring that only those meeting certain ethical benchmarks could climb the political ladder. “Any effort to dilute these measures could open the floodgates for unscrupulous individuals to gain power,” emphasized Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana.
“Sure, there’s an urgent need for charter amendments, but the real emergency right now is revitalizing our economy,” he stated passionately. “Parliament should seriously weigh this matter before jumping to conclusions.”
He further warned, “If both the House of Representatives and the Senate barrel ahead with amending the charter’s ethics section, it might be perceived as a self-serving maneuver.”
Thanakorn didn’t mince words. “Anyone trying to block these amendments by filing petitions could find themselves on the wrong side of the law, guilty of promoting a self-serving legislative change,” he cautioned.
This heated debate followed Pheu Thai’s submission of a partial charter-amending bill to the House on Wednesday, right on the heels of a similar draft from the PP last week. “The 2017 constitution, ratified in a referendum, holds the line against corruption and misconduct effectively,” Thanakorn asserted.
House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha chimed in, suggesting that the two bills would probably start getting serious attention in the Lower House by mid-October. “It could be sooner, but definitely not later this month as previously speculated,” he noted.
From the PM’s Office, Minister Chusak Sirinil, doubling as a deputy Pheu Thai leader for legal affairs, squashed rumors of hidden agendas. Critics have accused the party of trying to pave a smooth path for former premier Thaksin Shinawatra to make a political comeback, avoiding any legal probes into his alleged meddling in party affairs.
“Our charter-amending bid is all about ensuring equal rights for all Thais in joining any political party they choose,” Chusak clarifed. “Right now, even those with suspended jail sentences can’t join, which is simply unfair.”
Chusak also confirmed that Pheu Thai is looking to tweak the organic law on the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). The aim? Strip the NACC of its unilateral power to drag cases to court if it can’t find common ground with the prosecution. Political parties’ amendments are also on their radar, he added.
Nakharin Mektrairat, president of the Constitutional Court, played it cool by refusing to comment on the contentious charter amendment bids. Some critics speculate that these moves could eventually shift the court’s role.
In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, speaking as a government whip, revealed that Pheu Thai is aiming for a meet-up with all coalition members to hash out their charter-amending proposals before September 27. “We’ve got to reach a consensus among all coalition partners,” he said. “Right now, I can’t say for sure if everyone will back the bill.”
Meanwhile, efforts to push the partial amendment and rewrite the constitution are proceeding in parallel. All eyes are on the forthcoming debates and the fiery rhetoric that will no doubt continue.
Why are we even debating this? Ethical standards should never be compromised!
True, but sometimes laws can be too rigid and prevent good people from serving.
Yeah, but who’s to decide who the ‘good’ ones are? This stuff needs strict guidelines.
The fact that this is even a debate proves just how corrupt our political system is. Nothing new here.
It’s not just about corruption; it’s about political maneuvering and power struggles.
Exactly! The focus should be on fixing the economy, not on rewriting ethics to suit certain parties.
Why are we focusing on ethics when the economy is in shambles? Priorities, people!
Because ethical governance and a strong economy go hand in hand!
What use is an ethical government if people are starving? Economy comes first!
This is a clear attempt to bring Thaksin back into power. Pheu Thai can’t be trusted.
Such conspiracy theories get us nowhere. Focus on the facts.
It’s not a conspiracy theory if it has happened before.
Always the same story with these politicians. They talk about fairness, but it’s all smoke and mirrors.
Changing the charter to weaken anti-corruption? That’s like opening Pandora’s box.
Or it’s like adjusting archaic laws that no longer serve us well.
If we weaken anti-corruption measures, we may as well kiss what little integrity we have left goodbye.
Isn’t it suspicious that as soon as there’s talk about bringing Thaksin back, they start talking about changing the charter?
Suspicious, yes, but also potentially coincidental. Don’t jump to conclusions without evidence.
Even if it is a coincidence, it doesn’t look good. Optics matter in politics.
House Speaker said it won’t be addressed until mid-October. Can’t they expedite vital issues?
Expediting often leads to rash decisions. Better to take the time and get it right.
Why is everyone focusing on the ethics section when other sections are just as important?
If they weaken the NACC’s power, that’s opening the door for more corruption.
This is all just political posturing. The real issue is the lack of transparency.
House Speaker says October, Minister says September. Can’t they at least get their dates aligned?
Strip the NACC of its power? That’s like asking the fox to guard the henhouse!
Why are people so obsessed with Thaksin? He’s old news. Focus on present issues.
Revamping the ethical standards isn’t just about one person; it affects the integrity of the entire system.
Exactly! This is larger than any individual. It’s about our future.
Ethical standards are non-negotiable. Anyone arguing against that is probably self-serving.
This debate exposes how deeply divided our political system is. We need unity right now.
Anyone else tired of the empty promises about charter amendments? It’s all talk, no action.
Look, ethics are crucial, but making laws too stringent also excludes capable people who made minor mistakes.