Most people do not want to see a rewrite of constitution, survey finds

 "The survey found 70 per cent of respondents wanted the government to first focus on solving the economic problems and ease the hardship caused by inflation," said Prof Sombat Thamrongthanyawong at a discussion organised by the Thai Journalists' Association.

"The government should prioritise issues to determine which has to be addressed first," he said.

The academic also called on the government to ease its tough stance on amending the Constitution to prevent another political crisis.

"This could lead to something unexpected," he warned.

Sombat said it was not necessary for an elected government to always be democratic.

"Many elected governments become dictatorial by totally dominating the legislative branch and leave no room for scrutiny," he said.

Thienchai Na Nakorn, a lecturer from Thammasat University's Faculty of Law, who was among the panel speakers called the rewrite plan a political game by supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra who wanted to send a message that they sympathised with him.

Suthin Klangsang, an MP of the ruling People Power Party, said politicians in government would continue to work on the amendment plan.

The government at the same time would also focus on solving economic problems and ease the suffering caused by the higher cost of living, he added.

The MP admitted the rewrite plan was partly inspired by prospects that certain coalition parties might be dissolved. However, he slammed allegations that it was aimed at helping Thaksin over corruption charges.

"Some people appear to have forgotten this government is elected. Although there are attempts to paint Thaksin as the devil, the People Power Party won the majority support from voters, which means people have trust and faith in us," Suthin said.

In a related development, a coalition of workers, slum dwellers and small farmers yesterday moved to hold a rally outside Government House on June 24 to demand that politicians in power address their problems.

Representatives of the groups gathered at Chulalongkorn University's faculty of political science before issuing a statement calling for a big rally outside Parliament.

The rally was expected to be joined by 40 other groups. The rally would later be moved to the Royal Plaza and then Government House, the statement said.

It also called members of the public to join them.

The group told the government to intervene in the market to ensure "fair prices" of goods and provide "fair distribution" of cheap goods for the poor.