Charter team boss calls for more time

Kramol Tongdhamachart said his panel - which was supposed to complete its task by tomorrow - had been unable to conclude its report. Five subcommittees have yet to provide their findings.

"The committee has made much progress but we have been unable to prepare the report," Kramol said.

He said his panel would seek permission from the House to extend the deadline by 15 or 30 days.

"It all depends on the House. They may see that there is no need for an extension. But if the deadline is extended, I will complete the assignment perfectly," he said.

Kramol said his panel found that one of the "most problematic" clauses in the Constitution was Article 266, in which MPs and senators are banned from interfering with government service for personal benefit or for the benefit of others or of a political party.

He said many MPs said this clause obstructs them from providing help to the public.

He said Article 190 was another problem clause. The provision requires the government to seek approval from Parliament for any international treaty that will result in a change in territory or extraterritorial areas over which Thailand has sovereign rights.

Meanwhile, Boonjong Wongtrairat, deputy spokesman for the ruling People Power Party, said that the Kramol might ask for an extra 30 to 45 days to complete its task.

He said after the panel reports its findings to Parliament, the PPP would hold a caucus to start the amendment process.

Suthin Klangsang, People Power MP for Maha Sarakham, said yesterday he expected strong opposition to any attempt to alter the Constitution, whether changes involve only some clauses or the entire charter.