Thai constitution to be amended

Source StraitsTimes

BANGKOK - THAILAND'S new cabinet on Tuesday vowed to go ahead with amendments to the constitution, a move likely to provoke outrage from anti-government protesters opposed to any changes to the charter.

The cabinet led by People Power Party (PPP) MPs is scheduled to deliver its policy platform in parliament next week, and a minister said that will include re-drafting sections of the charter.

Thailand's current constitution was written by a committee selected by junta leaders after the military seized power in a September 2006 coup.

'The government will go ahead with amendments ... setting up new constitutional drafters, which will come from from every profession,' said Mr Sukhumpong Ngon-kham, a minister attached to the prime minister's office.

Mr Sukhumpong said there was no timeframe for the amendments, but said Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat - who came to office on September 17 after his predecessor was forced to step down - was determined to go ahead.

'The prime minister had repeatedly reiterated that the amendments must be based on democratic principles. There must be people's participation, and we will listen to all public opinion,' he said.

An alliance of protest groups have been occupying Bangkok's main government compound since August 26.

They claim the PPP government is too close to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, and want the administration to stand down.

They also object to PPP's plans to change the constitution, saying the amendments are a covert way of helping Thaksin avoid mounting corruption cases.

Thaksin currently lives in exile in Britain.

Critics of the charter complain that the document was written and passed in 2007 under military rule, and gives too much power to non-elected bodies such as the courts, while sapping the influence of elected politicians.

Democracy returned to Thailand in December 2007 with the election of the PPP, but the party has been plagued by the protests and negative court decisions.

Former premier Samak Sundaravej was forced to step down in early September after a court ruled that he had illegally accepted payment for appearances on two television cooking shows.