New panel to study political reform, constitutional amendments

Monday's meeting of the KPI council, chaired by Parliamentary President Chai Chidchob, resolved to have Sujit Bunbongkarn lead the panel conducting the study. Sujit is a former drafter of the 1997 Constitution and currently heads the Political Development Council.

KPI's secretary-general Bowarnsak Uwanno told the media that the independent panel would consist of no more than 50 representatives from different sectors of the society, and would collect viewpoints and proposals on improving the political system. The task should be completed by the end of November, he said.

The study would be divided into three stages: Collecting proposals and viewpoints from political leaders, civil-society groups, political pressure groups, relevant agencies and residents of all 76 provinces; preparing a report from the proposals and holding public hearings nationwide; and creating a report of the hearing results.

KPI council member, Somkid Lertpaitoon, said apart from the first eight months, another three months would be spent on establishing a new constitution-drafting assembly, which would then be given eight months to complete its task. In other words, the entire process would take about 19 months, he said.

When asked about doubts over the institute's neutrality, Somkid said the KPI would only act as the secretary while representatives from relevant parties, such as the government, the opposition, the pro- and anti-government groups and civil society would be part of Sujit's panel.

Sujit said he would perform his duty to the best of his ability, though he said felt pressured by the high expectations placed on him.

In response to the opposition's doubts about the KPI's neutrality, Sujit said the institute had no political connections and that it would be difficult to find any other agency able to host a study about political reform.