Plan to set up charter drafting panel on course

He said the House speaker, the Senate speaker and political party leaders believed amending the constitution is a solution to the current political situation.

The House speaker had been inviting concerned parties to the meeting.

"The government is just a supporter. Next, all political parties, including senators, have to get the plan off the ground,'' Somchai said.

Asked why the government wanted to establish a constitution drafting committee despite the PM having once said that if there was any opposition, he was read to suspend the plan, Somchai said that when he talked to the Democrats some time back, they had agreed it was a good solution.

On the change in the Democrat stance and their demand for House dissolution, Somchai said the Democrats should think again if House dissolution was a good way out.

Government whip, chairman Withaya Buranasiri, said if the meeting today agreed for the setting up of a panel, House Speaker Chai Chidchob would be asked to bring the matter to the House agenda this week because the government saw the matter as urgent.

Responding to the senators' call to Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet against attending the meeting, Withaya said he believed Prasopsuk knew his roles and responsibilities and he could separate personal matters and the country's interest.

Choosak Sirinin, secretary-general to the prime minister, expressed confidence that the Democrat Party would attend a meeting today to find out ways to end the current political impasse.

Democrat Party deputy spokesman Bunyod Sukthinthai said he had received a text message from House Speaker Chai Chidchob to attend the merit-making ceremony at Parliament. However, he said he would not attend because it was not clear what the purpose of the ceremony was. "Is it a normal event or is it a rite to wipe away sins from any serious offence committed?'' Bunyod said.

Democrat Party executive Sathit Pitutechakam said the party had not decided whether to attend the ceremony but the party wanted to call on Chai to take responsibility rather than organise a merit-making ceremony to whitewash offences.