Senators oppose charter amendment

The senators opposed both the idea to form another Constitution Drafting Assembly and the charter draft proposed by the People's Committee to Amend the 2007 Constitution.

The senators, led by Rosana Tositrakul, Prasarn Maruekhapitak, Tuang Anthachai and Somchai Sawaengkarn, said the government was sending conflicting signals. On the one hand, it sent Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh for talks with the PAD to end conflicts, and on the other hand it had arrested PAD leaders.

The senators said the arrest of the PAD leaders was an overreaction.

They also accused the government of lacking sincerity in achieving reconciliation. On the one hand, the government proposed amending Article 291 of the charter to open the way for people to join the charter amendment, and on the other hand, it proposed the draft charter proposed by the People's Committee to Amend the 2007 Constitution for the Parliament's consideration, the senators said.

Rosana said the group agreed with former CDA chairman Uthai Pimjaichon that the charter change should not be rushed but the process should go on for three years.

The group said an independent committee should be assigned to study the amendment. The government can block the vote with its majority in Parliament, meanwhile, proposing the draft by the People's Committee to Amend the 2007 Constitution is its short way to push for its desirable charter amendment.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said Parliament should consider the charter draft proposed by activist Weng Tojirakarn. He said the government would not get involved nor comment on it. However, the process to form a CDA would continue as the concerned parties had agreed on it. Political parties with MPs in the House, chief whips and the Opposition leaders also joined the talks, he said.