Embassies told to brief foreign govts

The Nation

"Some countries have asked about the situation but most of them understand very well that the elected government needs to rewrite a military-sponsored Constitution to make it more democratic," Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said yesterday.

The idea of amending the 2007 Constitution has become a worrisome issue as the People's Alliance for Democracy is preparing to launch street protests against the move. The government has been accused of wanting to rewrite the Constitution for its own benefit. The major coalition partner, the People Power Party, and some of its associates are trying to avoid dissolution.

The government has not prohibited the movements of groups concerned about the proposed amendments, but they should express their views in a peaceful way, he said.

"If people would look at the text of this Constitution, not political propaganda, they would realise that it badly needs a lot of changes," Noppadon said. "I believe the majority in the country would agree with the proposed amendments."

Noppadon feared that street protests to oppose the amendments might derail the country's growth.

"We don't worry about Cabinet stability but national stability. We need foreign countries to understand and remain confident in our country. Certain groups of people are making attempts to rock the boat, creating difficulties for the government. They never realise that they are also destroying the country," he said.