Thai Cabinet to open debate on Constitutional amendment in response to ongoing pro-democracy demonstrators

PHOTO: Prachachat

Bangkok –

The Thai Cabinet has agreed to open a general debate next week, October 26-27, for both members of the House of Representatives and senators to express opinions and debate facts regarding amendments to the Constitution to reduce social and political conflicts, after ongoing political rallies in the country.

An amendment of the Thai Constitution 2017 (B.E.2560), which was drawn up by the Constitution Drafting Assembly of Thailand (CDA) is one of three core demands consistently proposed by the pro-democracy demonstrators.

PHOTO: Thai Post

The CDA had been re-established after a military junta seized power in the country to solve political crises in the country in 2014. The 2017 Constitution, therefore, was written during the era of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) under the CDA assembly whereby its political mechanisms were formed allegedly in order to prolong the NCPO power after the election last year, according to Thailand’s non-profit law organization ‘iLaw’. The government, however, denies these claims.

The pro-democracy supporters have also proposed the Constitution rewrite partly to “switch off” the 250 military-appointed senators whose decisions had allegedly favored the current government under Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-O’Cha.

The first decision of constitutional amendments by members of parliament and senators had been made on September 24, resulting in the delay of the amendment process by at least one month after the majority of the members had instead voted for the establishment of a 45 member committee to thoroughly consider the proposals.

PHOTO: Tanawat Wongchai

Meanwhile, the protesters have temporarily halted their spontaneous gatherings today as they were anticipating for the Parliament’s decisions over their two recent demands of releasing all pro-democracy detainees and their leaders as well as lifting the severe state of emergency declared last week.

According to the online announcement of Free Youth, if the government does not abide by their increasing demands by 6:00 PM today, they would announce another emergency statement to the government.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=–=–=–=–==-

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and get all our news delivered to you in one spam-free daily e-mail Click here!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google News, Instagram, Tiktok, Youtube, Pinterest, Parler, Flipboard or Tumblr

Join the discussion in our Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/438849630140035/or in the comments below.

Subscribe
Nop Meechukhun
National News Writer at The Pattaya News from September 2020 to October, 2022. Born and raised in Bangkok, Nop enjoys telling stories of her hometown through her words and pictures. Her educational experience in the United States and her passion for journalism have shaped her genuine interests in society, politics, education, culture, and art.