Senators oppose charter rewrite, urge PM to shelve it

The senators were reacting to the report done by the parliamentary panel on reconciliation. It has recommended for charter rewrite on six issues to overcome the political turbulence.

"The six issues slated for rewrite have been raised from the perspective of politicians and political parties without factoring in the people's interests," Senator Paiboon Nititawan said.

Paiboon said the charter rewrite, if happens, should be gear for deepening the political reform with the aim to increase the public participation in politics and not to focus on the gains of politicians and their parties.

Senator Rosana Tositrakul said the panel report appeared confused about its job.

Reconciliation should be fostered before embarking on the charter rewrite as a reform process, she said, noting that the charter amendments would not have brought about the reconciliation.

She also voiced suspicion that the panel might have had a hidden agenda by proposing to legislate a law on reconciliation which she said would be a pretext to pardon convicted politicians.

Senator Sumol Sutawiriyawat said the group will today submit its petition to the prime minister, expected to attend a senatorial committee session.

Sumol called for the shelving of the charter-rewriting plan.