PM says charter flawed
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej insisted yesterday that "the several flaws" in the Constitution needed to be rectified to ensure a better future for the country.
He rejected allegations that the planned charter rewrite was aimed at protecting the ruling People Power Party's interests or to help former premier Thaksin Shinawatra with the corruption cases against him.
The premier said the problem with the previous charter scrapped in the 2006 coup was that there was concern that Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai Party would be in power "forever" due to their popularity.
Samak also dismissed a warning that the ongoing confrontation between supporters and detractors of the charter changes could lead to a "bloodbath".
"We have had 18 constitutions and there were 30 amendments, and there were no problems. I just wonder why there will be bloodbath this time," he said.
Samak's remarks were made in a speech on "The Thai Constitution's Situation" during a gathering organised by National Economic and Social Advisory Council (Nesac) at the Miracle Grand Hotel.
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