Caution urged in charter drafting.

Warning issued against making too many revisions to 1997 constitution if it is adopted as model for new one

Experts have cautioned against making too many revisions to the previous, 1997 constitution if it is to be adopted as a model for drawing up the new one. The suggestion was made at a seminar, attended by a Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) member, a political party leader, and a former election commission chairman yesterday.

CDC member Wutthisarn Tanchai said too many changes made in haste in a limited timeframe could flaw the charter draft, which could then fall out of favour with the public.

He suggested senators be both elected and appointed, and changes be made to the way independent agencies are set up.

A prime minister must be an elected MP and, after finishing his or her tenure, must not be allowed to run any businesses for five consecutive years.

Likhit Dhiravegin, leader of the Palang Pan Din Thai party, disagreed with proposals to scrap the party-list MP system, and supported calls for retaining the number of 500 MPs under the charter.

Former election commissioner Yuwarat Kamolvej addressed questions concerning the use of power by political-office holders, and on how best to keep them in check and to remove them from power.

Election candidates should also be required to disclose their assets to prevent them misusing election funds, he suggested.

Sukhum Chaloeysap, director of the Suan Dusit Poll, cited a recent survey conducted among 1,347 residents in Bangkok and suburban areas which shows most people agreed with a reduction in the number of MPs.

They also favoured an elected prime minister, who could serve no more than two terms in a row under the charter.

Pichian Amnartworaprasert, a Constitution Drafting Assembly member, said morality, ethics, and leadership spirit must be given overriding priority in the constitution to end the leadership crisis.

Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa suggested drafters and parties get together to brainstorm the constitution. The parties will come in handy with their practical knowledge of politics.

He added the government should educate people about the charter before calling a referendum.

If the draft fails to pass the referendum, the present interim constitution empowers the Council for National Security to choose any of the previous constitutions and adjust it.

Some of those involved see this as a second-best and possibly less democratic option, so urge caution as drafters go about the process of bringing together the charter.

The Election Commission is studying referenda held in Switzerland and other countries for use as guidelines for Thailand's referendum on the charter.

The agency also asked the Provincial Administration Department to compile a complete list of eligible voters in each province across the country to prepare for the referendum.

Bangkok Post
Sunday February 11, 2007