PM Anutin, Bhumjaithai Party to submit charter rewrite draft tomorrow

The Bhumjaithai Party, led by party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, will submit its constitutional amendment draft to House Speaker Sophon Zaram tomorrow to pave the way for the drafting of a new constitution.

PM’s Office Minister Paradorn Prissananantakul said today that the draft bill, endorsed by 190 MPs, seeks an amendment to Article 256 of the Constitution in response to the wishes of 21 million people who voted for a new charter in the referendum.

He said the Bhumjaithai Party’s constitutional amendment draft proposes the creation of a 100-member Constitution Drafting Assembly to be selected by parliament.

Those interested in joining the assembly can apply in their respective provinces. The applicants will then be whittled down to a shortlist, from which parliament will select one person to represent each province, along with three reserve members.

Paradorn said the party will not touch Chapters 1 and 2 of the current Constitution.

Chapter 1 concerns fundamental provisions, such as the democratic system of government with the King as head of state and the three pillars of the Thai state — the executive, legislative and judicial branches. Chapter 2 concerns the monarchy.

To prevent a repeat of the failure of several previous draft charters to pass the Senate, the Bhumjaithai Party has proposed reducing the number of Senate votes required for passage from one-third to one-quarter.