The political scene in Thailand is unraveling with some interesting developments regarding constitutional amendments. The Pheu Thai Party, with its ongoing mission to reshape the governance framework, is embarking on a crucial journey that could redefine the political landscape. At the epicenter of this endeavor is the question: Can parliament amend the constitution without first consulting the Will of the People via a referendum?
Minister Chousak Sirinil, a stalwart from the ruling Pheu Thai Party and also a deft legal mind, is at the helm of this political expedition. Today marks a pivotal day as his party gears up to present a crucial motion to the parliament president. The proposal, if embraced, will usher in an intriguing request for the Constitutional Court to weigh in on the legislative body’s authority to tweak the nation’s charter sans a referendum.
Rallying support is no mean feat, and in true Pheu Thai fashion, the party managed to gather the legal quorum of 40 MPs to ink their support for the motion. But wait, this motion is not just another page in the book of political motions. Unlike Senator Premsak Piayura’s initiative, which danced around the amendment clarification issue, Mr. Chousak’s brainchild offers a more succinct directive – goading the Constitutional Court to provide a decisive ruling.
To bring some context, this Constitutional conundrum rides on the back of the infamous Section 256 of the 2017 charter. Amending this section might unleash the gates of an all-new Charter Drafting Assembly (CDA). Such an assembly could potentially rewrite the entire charter, an ambitious exercise warranting validation through a referendum. Constituting a prerequisite of sorts, a referendum must precede any mass overhaul of the constitution, as echoed by constitutional experts.
However, politics is never predictable. Amidst this excitement lurks an element of fear among parliamentarians – the fear of legal repercussions. Many have adopted the strategy of avoidance, choosing not to appear at parliamentary sessions tackling Section 254 just last week. This mass absenteeism led to an unfulfilled quorum, leaving vital parliamentary proceedings in limbo.
The bill targeting a revamp of Section 256 still waits in parliament’s corridors. Yet, with constitutional clarity motions flying around like confetti, how long it will remain on the priority list is anyone’s guess.
Despite the conjecture, Mr. Chousak remains optimistic, believing parliament will favor Pheu Thai’s motion over Sen Premsak’s because of its transparency and clarity in dealing with the court. He draws attention to a past court instance where the absence of an active amendment excused it from court deliberation. But as the situation stands, with Section 256 dragooned into parliamentary debate, Mr. Chousak asserts there’s ample ground to urge the court’s ruling.
What lies ahead may entail a referendum triad, with one preceding each phase – the charter rewrite, CDA setup, and a final nod on the CDA-conceived charter. If Mr. Chousak’s political divination holds true, parliamentarians will soon find themselves amidst a referendum whirlwind, spirited away on a voyage of constitutional change that echoes the voice of the nation.
I don’t see why we need to have a referendum to amend the constitution. If elected officials can’t make decisions, then why did we vote them in?
Referendums ensure that massive changes reflect the popular will, not just the will of the politicians.
But they’re costly and slow. Sometimes democracy needs efficiency over endless consultation.
Referendums have historically been a safeguard against governmental abuse in Thailand. It’s about accountability.
Besides, how can MPs know what’s in the people’s best interest if they don’t ask us first?
This is all a power grab by the Pheu Thai Party. They just want more control without the people’s input.
Aren’t they trying to decrease military influence in politics? That seems like a good thing to me.
I agree reducing military role is important, but bypassing a referendum isn’t the right way to do it.
Reminds me of other countries where changes were pushed without public consent. Didn’t turn out well!
Minister Chousak seems prudent to involve the Constitutional Court. It’s better they clarify rather than proceeding with ambiguities.
Yes, but remember courts can’t solve everything politically. They exist to interpret, not make laws.
True, but someone needs to guide this political maze. The court can at least set boundaries.
Kind of ironic how MPs are afraid of legal repercussions when they are the ones making the laws.
Typical politics though, always dodging real decisions when it gets too risky.
If this ends up being a three-part referendum, it’s going to cost an arm and a leg. Is it economically feasible?
Democracy is expensive, but isn’t it worth every Baht spent for clarity and fairness?
I agree, but mismanagement can turn it into a costly spectacle with no real change.
Why wait? We should rewrite the whole constitution. The current one limits our freedoms too much!
What if the CDA just becomes another political battlefield? How do we ensure it remains impartial?
It’s all about who gets selected and the process of choosing them. It needs to be overseen carefully.
So we need watchdogs for the watchdogs? It sounds complicated.
This is the time for the people to step up. Make sure your voices are heard by voting in any referendums!
Can we really trust the Pheu Thai Party’s transparency? Politics is all about backdoor deals.
You might be surprised. Sometimes, a political party actually does what’s best for the people.
Instead of focusing on amendments, why don’t they tackle issues like poverty and education first?
Every step towards full democracy is a challenge, but it’s one we have to take to evolve politically.
Another political drama. When will anything actually get done in this country?
Soon, if we all push for change. It’s a process which requires patience and perseverance.
The government should run a public information campaign if a referendum takes place so everyone understands what’s at stake.
We need to update our political system. It feels like we’re stuck in an old era, not moving forward.
Why is it that significant political changes in Thailand always start chaotic and uncertain?
Too many cooks spoil the broth. Too many referendums might spoil our democracy.