Bangkok: Pheu Thai Party criticized the Bhumjaithai Party’s draft Constituent Assembly (CSA) for not including the people in the equation. They urged the Prachachon Party, which delivered the blue-chip government, to hold talks with the Bhumjaithai Party and Senate to discuss the outcome. They also suggested broadcasting the deal live for the public to know.

According to Thai News Agency, Danupon Punnakanta, a party-list MP and spokesperson for the Pheu Thai Party, addressed the submission of a motion to amend Chapter 15 of the constitution to pave the way for a new constitution. Currently, there are drafts from the Pheu Thai, Prachachon, and Bhumjaithai parties. The most important condition stipulated in the 2017 Constitution is the acceptance of the principles in the first and third readings, which require the approval of at least one-third of the senators. This means that efforts to establish a Constituent Assembly (CSA) by both the Pheu Thai and Prachachon parties may be subject to rigorous control. Furthermore, considering the Bhumjaithai Party’s proposed CSA, the CSA’s acquisition is in no way linked to public participation.

“The process of amending the constitution to pave the way for a new constitution drafted under the Orange-Blue MOA may turn out to be a mere ritual without the people in the equation. Ultimately, the major political parties, disguised as blue-green senators, and the Bhumjaithai Party, which is growing daily through watering and fertilizing with orange minerals, are on the verge of reaching half of the parliamentary membership. Therefore, the outcome of the new constitution may not be as positive as the Prachachon Party hopes.

This situation will open a Pandora’s Box, unleashing disaster and trapping hope inside. To prevent this impending disaster, the Prachachon Party, as the creator of this blue government, must not only negotiate with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, but also hold open discussions between the Prachachon Party, as the government’s backer, the Bhumjaithai Party, as the core government, and the Senate, as the key variable in determining the direction of the new constitution. We must maintain our open politics, as we have always proclaimed. Whatever deals or exchanges we make, we must let the public know,” stated Mr. Danuporn.

Mr. Danupon also stated that the Pheu Thai Party ultimately hopes that the People’s Party’s decision will not be in vain, as the country’s future is at stake. No matter how much responsibility the People’s Party takes, it will not be enough if hopes for a new constitution turn into hopelessness or disaster.