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Phumtham Wechayachai Navigates Charter Amendment Controversy Amid Flood Crisis and Economic Push

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Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra engages with an official while Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai looks on before delivering her policy statement to parliament on Sept 12. Photo: Chanat Katanyu

Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, in a candid moment on Wednesday, brushed off inquiries from the media regarding the future of the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s proposal for amending the charter on ethical standards for political officeholders. This proposal hit a roadblock when coalition partners cooled to the idea. Phumtham remarked that the government’s priority was addressing pressing issues, chiefly the devastating floods affecting numerous provinces and kickstarting the economy. The latter began visibly with a 10,000 baht cash handout to 14.5 million economically vulnerable individuals on Wednesday.

When queried about whether Pheu Thai would retract its charter amendment bill from parliament amidst growing criticism, Phumtham, a significant figure within the ruling party, was unequivocal that this was not under deliberation.

Previously on Tuesday, Phumtham had shared that the party was in the process of arranging a confab with coalition partners to deliberate on the Pheu Thai-sponsored amendment bill. The aim of this bill is to crystallize ethical standards for politicians. However, due to strong opposition from several coalition factions, who saw the proposal as potentially self-serving, the ruling party reportedly retreated from this stance.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul reaffirmed on Wednesday that his party had never proposed altering the ethical standards issue, maintaining that there was no necessity to revise its position. He was responding to rumors that the suggested change came from the leader of a major political party, implicitly pointing to Pheu Thai.

From Bhumjaithai’s quarters, executive Korawee Prissananantakul expressed that the party would support the charter amendment provided it passed a public referendum, all while reiterating that Chapters 1 and 2 should stay untouched. Chapter 1 delineates Thailand as a unified, indivisible kingdom with a democratic regime and the King as head of state. Chapter 2 elaborates sections on royal prerogatives.

Adding to the chorus, political advocate Jatuporn Prompan vocalized that public and coalition bloc pressures were compelling the ruling party to shelve the charter amendment endeavors. He conjectured that Pheu Thai’s motivation for the charter revision was to thwart any legal repercussions for party leader and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Significantly, Paetongtarn herself is under scrutiny over multiple ethics-related allegations, including controversies surrounding her shares in the Alpine Golf Club, controversially situated on monastic land.

In a separate narrative, the opposition People’s Party (PP) disclosed its anticipation for Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha to call a debate over their bill aimed at curtailing the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) power to probe MPs and senators for ethical violations. Currently, the NACC examines such cases before deciding whether they should proceed to the Supreme Court or the Constitutional Court.

PP list-MP Natthawut Buaprathum expressed that the party’s bill is designed not as a self-serving motion but to safeguard public interest. In his words, “Our bill aims to bring genuine reform that benefits the nation and ensures integrity amongst our lawmakers, rather than simply advancing any party-specific agenda.”

The unfolding political saga continues to captivate the nation, offering a mix of serious policy discussions intertwined with personal and institutional machinations that keep both politicians and the public on their toes.

32 Comments

  1. Larry D September 25, 2024

    It’s a disgrace that Pheu Thai is focusing on amendments and handouts rather than the flood crisis!

    • grower134 September 25, 2024

      Larry D, you can’t ignore the economic needs! The cash handouts are crucial for many families.

      • Larry D September 25, 2024

        Sure, but a temporary handout won’t fix the flood damage or the economy long-term.

      • Aki Hoshi September 25, 2024

        Larry D, quite right! They need a comprehensive flood management plan alongside economic reforms.

    • Samantha September 25, 2024

      Larry D, isn’t it possible for the government to work on both? Flood relief and economic stimulus can go hand in hand.

  2. SoybeanFarmer September 25, 2024

    Why is no one talking about the environmental impact of these floods? This is a chance to address climate change!

    • Jasmine L. September 25, 2024

      So true, SoybeanFarmer! Climate change is the root cause and isn’t getting enough attention!

      • SoybeanFarmer September 25, 2024

        Exactly, Jasmine! We need policies that tackle climate change directly.

    • Carter September 25, 2024

      That’s too idealistic, folks. Local governments need immediate action plans and support.

  3. Nina S. September 25, 2024

    Phumtham is just dodging the real issue. They need to take a strong stance on ethical standards!

    • Sam September 25, 2024

      Absolutely, Nina! This back-and-forth on ethics is damaging the credibility of the entire political system.

    • Mick September 25, 2024

      But what’s the point of focusing on ethical standards now? Priorities should be disaster management.

  4. Joe September 25, 2024

    Pheu Thai’s amendments are just a smokescreen to protect their leadership from legal trouble.

    • Kylie M. September 25, 2024

      Joe, you nailed it! They’re trying to shield themselves from consequences, plain and simple.

    • Sanjit September 25, 2024

      Kylie and Joe, it’s not that simple. Ethics amendments could benefit all politicians, not just the ruling party.

    • Joe September 25, 2024

      Sanjit, come on, there’s always a political motive behind these moves!

  5. Chow_Hound92 September 25, 2024

    Flood relief should be decentralized! Local authorities know the needs better than the central government.

  6. Priya September 25, 2024

    It’s appalling that the coalition partners are not united on this. People are suffering as they bicker.

  7. Garry M. September 25, 2024

    Jatuporn Prompan’s comments just reflect his personal animosity towards Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Nothing constructive.

    • Haruto September 25, 2024

      Garry, true! Personal grudges are muddying the waters of genuine political discourse.

    • Liz B. September 26, 2024

      I disagree, Garry and Haruto. His concern may be personal, but it raises valid points about ethics.

  8. Charlie P. September 26, 2024

    I can’t believe they’re spending money on cash handouts rather than investing in flood prevention infrastructure!

  9. Glen Field September 26, 2024

    Cash handouts are a short-term band-aid. What we really need is economic reform that creates jobs and stabilizes the economy.

    • Becca September 26, 2024

      Yes, Glen! Economic reform should focus on sustainability, not temporary fixes.

    • Ron September 26, 2024

      Glen, true, but immediate relief is also necessary to prevent further suffering.

  10. Diego R. September 26, 2024

    This charter amendment debate is distracting from what people actually need—effective flood relief and economic support.

    • AnneLee22 September 26, 2024

      Diego, true, but do you think they’ll actually shift their focus soon?

  11. bigthinker September 26, 2024

    Fighting corruption should be the main goal. Enough with these patchy amendments.

    • Mei September 26, 2024

      Totally agree with you, bigthinker! Charter amendments won’t solve the deep-seated corruption issues.

  12. Lana Smith September 26, 2024

    Seems like both sides have forgotten what really matters—serving the public. Ethical standards or not, people are suffering.

  13. Alexa T September 26, 2024

    National Anti-Corruption Commission needs to get more power, not less. We need stricter oversight!

  14. YusufT88 September 26, 2024

    Honestly, why isn’t more being done to engage public opinion on these amendments? Democracy requires transparency.

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