Bangkok: The People’s Party has called on the Bhumjaithai Party to promptly submit the draft amendment to Parliament. They emphasized the importance of accelerating the referendum and elections to comply with the four-month deadline for dissolving Parliament. The People’s Party perceives the Constitutional Court’s ruling as not entirely eliminating the possibility of forming a Constituent Assembly due to the election, suggesting that Parliament could establish mechanisms for this process.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, a party-list MP and leader of the Prachachon Party, along with Mr. Panus Watcharasinthu and other party members, addressed the Constitutional Court’s decision regarding the referendum process for constitutional amendments. Mr. Natthaphong emphasized the People’s Party’s commitment to drafting a new constitution through elected members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA), as stipulated in the Memorandum of Agreement with the Bhumjaithai Party.

The Constitutional Court ruled that drafting a new constitution requires two referendum rounds. The first round will ask the public if they agree on the necessity of a new constitution and the methods and content of drafting it, as approved by Parliament in Chapter 15 of the draft amendment. The second round will seek public approval of the draft constitution.

The People’s Party proposes holding the first referendum round alongside a general election, following the dissolution of Parliament within four months after the new Cabinet assumes office. They urge MPs from all political parties to submit the draft amendment to Chapter 15 of the Constitution to Parliament without delay to facilitate this timeline.

MPs from the People’s Party and Pheu Thai Party have already submitted a draft to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, which is now on the parliamentary agenda. The People’s Party urges the Bhumjaithai Party, as a core government party, to gather support from government MPs and submit its own draft amendment to Chapter 15, proposing an elected Constituent Assembly as agreed.

While the Constitutional Court ruled against direct public selection of constitution drafters, the People’s Party believes Parliament can still design a mechanism for the Constituent Assembly to present a draft to Parliament before a public referendum. The party awaits further details of the ruling.

The People’s Party calls for Parliament to consider Chapter 15 of the constitutional amendment draft for the first reading within September. This process should not await the government’s policy statement, as it is a legislative matter independent of the executive branch. This step is vital for holding the first referendum and general election within the four-month timeline.

Mr. Natthaphong affirmed the People’s Party’s commitment to its role as the opposition, aiming to ensure the government adheres to the agreement for drafting a new constitution. He clarified that the Constitutional Court’s ruling allows for two rounds of referendums, requiring further parliamentary discussion on the first round’s questions.

Mr. Natthaphong addressed concerns about the agreement’s clauses, emphasizing the need for parliamentary discussion to comply with the agreement. He reiterated the necessity of completing amendments to Chapter 15 within four months, independent of the government’s policy statement.

Regarding Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s claim of needing more time, Mr. Natthaphong stressed the importance of immediate action on Chapter 15 amendments, without waiting for a policy statement. He urged the Bhumjaithai Party to act in accordance with the agreement, warning of potential parliamentary action to ensure compliance.

Mr. Natthaphong highlighted the lack of direct communication with the Bhumjaithai Party since the prime ministerial vote, emphasizing the People’s Party’s role as an opposition party lacking direct influence over the executive branch. He concluded by expressing readiness to use parliamentary votes to ensure adherence to the agreement if necessary.