Bangkok: Somkid Chuekong has called upon the Bhumjaithai Party to specify when the joint parliamentary meeting to amend the constitution will be held, following the government’s policy statement. He emphasized the importance of transparency and warned that any delay might be perceived as a lack of genuine commitment to constitutional reform.

According to Thai News Agency, Somkid, a former Pheu Thai Party MP for Ubon Ratchathani and ex-Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, addressed the proposed constitutional amendments put forth by the Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai, and Prachachon parties for parliamentary discussion. The responsibility now lies with Parliament Speaker Wan Muhammad Noor Matha to decide when to schedule this proposal on the parliamentary agenda. Somkid noted that if the House desires a swift review, the discussion could be prioritized.

Somkid further indicated that the parliamentary review of the constitutional amendment is anticipated to occur around mid-October, just before the parliamentary session concludes. He asserted that if the Bhumjaithai Party is earnest in its intention to amend the constitution, it should proceed with the first reading and form a committee to address the issues raised during the referendum. This would allow the second and third readings to progress swiftly once the December session begins.

Highlighting the necessity for a clear timeline following the government’s policy statement, Somkid warned that any procrastination might reveal the Bhumjaithai Party’s insincerity regarding constitutional amendments. He also expressed skepticism about the feasibility of drafting a new constitution within a year, given the government’s short tenure and the complexity of the process. Somkid suggested that any delay could be perceived as a tactic by the Bhumjaithai Party to extend beyond the government’s declared term.