A significant proposed amendment to the constitution has encountered a roadblock, as coalition partner Bhumjaithai lawmakers have withdrawn their support. The Pheu Thai party is now re-evaluating its initiative to amend Section 256 of the constitution, which aimed to pave the way for the establishment of a constitutional drafting assembly.
Coalition Partner Withdraws Support
Pheu Thai leader Julapun Amornvivat announced that the party would undertake a reassessment of its proposed amendment. Initially, the bill had garnered backing from seven political parties and was prepared for submission to parliament. However, Bhumjaithai members recently decided to retract their signatures, citing legal concerns.
Mr. Julapun stated, “We must listen to and respect one another. It is the right of members to withdraw their support, and such situations are not unusual in parliament.” He emphasized that the current issue pertains to parliamentary procedure and constitutional reform, rather than coalition politics, and confirmed that Bhumjaithai had communicated its reservations in advance.
The upcoming joint parliamentary session on July 7 and 8 is expected to address constitutional amendment bills submitted by various parties.
Legal Concerns Prompt Reconsideration
Nikorn Chamnong, a party-list MP for Bhumjaithai, explained the party’s belief that the Pheu Thai proposal might be in conflict with a prior ruling by the Constitutional Court. The Pheu Thai draft envisioned a 300-member constitutional drafting assembly elected directly by the public, with parliament then selecting 100 members from this group. The court has previously stipulated that the selection of a drafting assembly should be limited to existing lawmakers representing the populace, leading to apprehension that a direct public election could contravene this ruling.
Mr. Nikorn argued that such a model could introduce legal and constitutional complications regarding the relationship between parliamentary authority and popular sovereignty. He asserted that Bhumjaithai’s own amendment proposal aligns more closely with the court’s interpretation and seeks to preempt legal challenges that could impede the reform process.
“Submitting an amendment that is vulnerable to legal disputes could ultimately derail constitutional reform altogether,” Mr. Nikorn commented.
Bhumjaithai’s Alternative Approach
Mr. Nikorn reiterated Bhumjaithai’s commitment to drafting a new constitution and believes that public engagement can be effectively achieved through three distinct referendums. These would include votes to approve the drafting of a new constitution, a vote after amending Section 256, and a final vote on the completed draft.
He also defended Bhumjaithai’s proposal against accusations of centralizing power, highlighting that it incorporates mechanisms to ensure the voices of senators are heard and includes a year-long nationwide public consultation period.
Path Forward for Reform
In the interim, Mr. Julapun indicated that Pheu Thai will engage in internal consultations and discussions with Bhumjaithai in the coming days to determine the next steps for the amendment initiative.
He acknowledged that constitutional amendments necessitate not only a majority vote in parliament but also the support of at least one-third of senators, underscoring the critical need for broad political consensus.
Despite this setback, Mr. Julapun dismissed any notion that Pheu Thai is abandoning its principles. “We only have 74 MPs. We cannot push through constitutional amendments alone,” he stated. “This is not about compromising principles but about political realities and securing sufficient support to achieve constitutional reform.”
