PM 'to urge' junta to allow party activities
Political party leaders, from left, Pracharaj’s Snoh Thienthong, Thai Rak Thai’s Chaturon Chaisang, Democrat’s Abhisit Vejjajiva, and Mahachon’s Sanan Kachornprasart face Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont during their meeting to discuss the draft constitut
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Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has promised to convince the junta to revoke its ban on political activities, party leaders said yesterday following their meeting at Government House.
"Announcements No 15 and No 27 are seen as an obstacle for political parties to get involved in the democratic process," Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said, arguing that the lifting of the ban would allow parties to make campaign preparations. He said if the junta had reservations about possible impacts on security, it could consider a partial lifting of the ban for activities that would not affect security. Abhisit was speaking after a meeting on the constitution draft. He said the meeting went well as a starting point to thrash out differing ideas on the draft. Forty-two of the 44 invited parties showed up for the meeting organised by Surayud. Participants included party leaders, three PM's Office ministers, Surayud's two deputies and Constitution Drafting Assembly chairman Noranitr Setabutr. PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said the prime minister would try to expedite the lifting of the ban but did not set a timetable. Noranitr said he would pass on ideas raised by the parties to the 35-member Constitution Drafting Committee for review. "I am confident the drafters will revise the draft, although it is too early to pinpoint the changes in the final draft because public hearings on the matter have not been completed yet," he said. The period for public feedback was due to end on May 25. Matchima Group member Sophon Phetsawang said he was pleased the prime minister had tried to involve parties in the charter-drafting process. Thai Rak Thai acting leader Chaturon Chaisang said he wanted the government to seriously push for the critique by parties to be heeded by charter drafters. "The upcoming referendum is not about the mobilisation of the people to endorse the new constitution but to render an informed judgement on whether to accept or reject it." Mahachon Party leader Sanan Kachornprasart said many parties had shared similar ideas on what provisions needed to be revised.
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