Referendum bill reaches house

Thanit Sriprathet, an EC representative, tabled the bill as required by the Constitution, which stipulates that the EC must draft the public referendum bill within one year after the high law went into effect.

EC member Prapan Naikowit said the bill presents two types of public referendum, compulsory and advisory, and carried provisions that ban officials from abusing power in organising a public referendum.

Speaker Chai Chidchob said the House must complete deliberation of the bill by August 23. He would table the bill within the special session when it reconvenes on June 9. Chai voiced concern that the bill may not sail through the House in three readings because the opposition may reserve the right to further scrutinise the bill.

The public referendum bill comes hot on the heels of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's resolve to push for a referendum over constitutional amendment.