Bangkok Government Defends Charter Rewrite, Challenges Referendum
Bangkok—Thailand’s political landscape remains stable despite opposition calls for the dissolution of the House of Representatives. The People’s Party (PP), led by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, urged this action following procedural setbacks in amending the 2017 constitution. However, the ruling Pheu Thai Party dismissed these calls, characterizing the situation as a manageable disagreement rather than a crisis.
The disagreement centers on proposed amendments to Section 256 of the constitution, a crucial provision governing constitutional amendments. Joint parliamentary sittings scheduled to deliberate these changes failed to achieve a quorum on both Thursday and Friday due to insufficient attendance by government MPs. This prompted Mr. Ruengpanyawut’s call for dissolution, citing a perceived lack of unity within the ruling coalition.
Pheu Thai Party members, however, downplayed these events. Pheu Thai MP Sutin Klungsang asserted that the coalition remains stable and operational. Echoing this sentiment, Pheu Thai list MP Anusorn Iamsa-ard emphasized that differing opinions are a normal part of the political process and do not threaten the coalition’s ability to govern. He expressed confidence that the government would complete its four-year term and urged the opposition to avoid exaggerating the situation.
The core disagreement within the coalition revolves around the necessity of a public referendum before amending the charter. This ambiguity stems from a 2021 Constitutional Court ruling mandating a referendum before initiating new charter drafting. However, it remains unclear whether this ruling applies to amending the existing charter.
To resolve this legal ambiguity, Pheu Thai intends to petition the Constitutional Court for clarification on the referendum requirement. Mr. Klungsang indicated that the party’s legal team is preparing arguments to secure parliamentary support for this petition. A definitive ruling, he believes, is crucial to breaking the deadlock and resuming parliamentary debate on the proposed charter rewrite bills submitted by both Pheu Thai and the People’s Party.
This situation highlights the tension between the desire for constitutional reform and the complexities of Thailand’s legal and political landscape. While the opposition portrays recent events as symptomatic of a deeper crisis within the ruling coalition, Pheu Thai maintains its ability to manage disagreements and govern effectively. The upcoming petition to the Constitutional Court is pivotal, potentially clarifying the path forward for charter reform and shaping the future of Thai politics.
