CDA votes to bar junta-appointed in charter writing
The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) moved Monday to prevent junta-appointed charter writers from heading its committees and sub-committees.
The CDA voted unanimously to disallow non-members from heading any of the assembly's working groups.The move effectively keeps Prasong Soonsiri out of the race for chairmanship of the 35-member Constitution Drafting Committee. Prasong is a National Legislative Assembly member and among 10 constitution writers appointed by the Council for National Security (CNS) this past Friday. Those 10 join 25 drafters selected from the CDA . He was seen as a strong contender to head the core drafting team. CDA member Charan Pakdeethanakul has now emerged as the leading contender. Yesterday, CDA member Krirk-kiat Pipatseritham said the assembly would be held responsible for the new constitution and as such non-members should not be allowed to chair its committees, which include the Constitution Drafting Committee. Other CDA members spoke in support and the assembly then voted unanimously to back the Krirk-kiat motion. The CDA convened yesterday morning at Parliament with chairman Noranit Setabutr presiding. The meeting acknowledged the CNS appointments to the core drafting committee and formally appointed all 35. The team starts its drafting work after its appointment is published in the Royal Gazette. The CDA will name nine panels for charter-related tasks including the organisation of regional public hearings and public relations. The Nation
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