Lecturers' charter plan overlooked
Three law lecturers yesterday voiced disappointment that their version of a new constitution was overlooked in the rush by Meechai Ruchuphan, chief legal adviser to the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR), to complete his draft interim charter.
"Meechai had promised to heed opposing legal opinions but failed to honour his word," said Komsan Phokong, the group's representative. Komsan said Meechai showed narrow-mindedness by neglecting to review any counterproposals. The group had received permission from the CDR to present its version of a new charter, comprising 72 articles. Meechai was assigned by the CDR to take charge of the matter. Komsan comes from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. The other lecturers in his group are Charoen Kampheeraphap from Silpakorn University and Sasatra To-on from Rangsit University. Sasatra said Meechai was acting suspiciously, as if he were trying to perpetuate the CDR's power. He also complained about the proposed process for writing the new charter, especially the involvement of governors in nominating candidates for the drafting panel, adding that the governors had been appointed by the ousted government. Thammasat University's Law Faculty is scheduled today to host a seminar to solicit ideas for the format in composing the new charter.
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