Amidst the vibrant political landscape of Thailand, the corridors of power are echoing with the sounds of change. The Pheu Thai Party, a titan of Thai politics, has taken a bold step by proposing an amendment to the intricately woven legal fabric that is Thailand’s constitution. Led by the stalwart Deputy Party Leader Chusak Sirinil, a bill that could redefine the nation’s future was crafted and delivered into the hands of the esteemed Parliament President, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, last Thursday.
Like a playwright scripting a new act for the grand stage of governance, 122 Pheu Thai MPs have inked their support for this crucial revision, setting the stage for an inevitable drama. The heart of the matter is the authority to amend the charter; an authority that Mr. Chusak and his colleagues firmly believe rests within the hallowed halls of parliament.
Should Wan Muhamad Noor Matha’s gavel fall on the side of refusal, stating doubts about the bill’s intent and suggesting a precursor referendum as necessary, a specter of disagreement looms. Pheu Thai is prepared for such an eventuality, ready to extend the debate to the revered guardians of legality, the Constitutional Court, in search of a definitive resolution on their legislative powers.
The plot thickens as we consider Pheu Thai’s vision to streamline the pathway to constitutional reform—an electoral promise that burns bright in their mandate. The stage is set for this priority issue to unfurl within the coalition government’s plan of action, summoning the whispers of pledges made and the echoes of reform.
The referendum—a prickly pear of a procedure—dinners a spotlight following the 2021 Constitutional Court’s decree, and now stands at the center of the political arena. It requires the people’s nod on any and all full-spectrum charter amendments, followed by an encore referendum to sanctify the rewrite’s specifics.
In a tale of continuity and change, a committee helmed by the sagacious Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has convened. Their mission? To sculpt new referential frameworks to discern the fate of the 2017 constitution.
Mr. Phumtham and his ensemble reached a crescendo with the resolution to orchestrate not one, not two, but three referendums—a triumvirate of public inquiry, starting with a solitary question on the inaugural ballot. The electorate will voice their affirmation or dissent on the amendments proposed, save for the sacred chapters concerning general provisions and the monarch.
But, such grand productions do not come without a price. A budget of a gargantuan 10.5 billion baht is projected, raising many an eyebrow with regards to fiscal frugality.
On the heels of this revelation, Chusak Sirinil interjects with a counterpoint that rings with practicality. Drawing from the wisdom of Pheu Thai’s Charter Amendment Working Panel, Mr. Chusak proposes a duet of referendums instead, a choreography that promises fiscal and temporal savings.
In the end, as this saga unfolds, one thing is certain—the pursuit of change beats at the heart of Thailand’s political realm and the chorus of democracy sings on. The question now rests in the voice of the people—will the proposal echo through the walls of legislation, or will it fade into the annals of parliamentary lore? Thailand watches and waits, as the pages of her story continue to turn.
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