Check against abuse of power, corruption promised
Amid the growing tide opposing the new charter even though it is still in its formative stage, drafters Saturday promised many good things with this latest try to lay guidelines for governing the country.
It will curb abuse and corruption by politicians, said Prasong Soonsiri, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), as he wrapped up the six-day meeting here to set the direction for the new charter. "[It] must prevent interference by politicians and must truly benefit the people," he said. Charan Pakdeethanakul, chairman of the CDC subcommittee on political institutions, counted four benefits that have emerged so far, compared to the 1997 constitution. Firstly, the role and influence of the executive branch will be limited, but not to the extent that it cannot perform its function. Second, greater participation by the people will be promoted. Third, the state's power will come under more effective scrutiny. And fourth, the ethics and morality of politicians will be promoted. Chachai Suphawong, chair of the CDC subcommittee on human rights and liberty, vowed that the new charter would provide for a marked strengthening of grassroots democracy and greater autonomy from the central government for local administrations. CDC secretary Somkid Lertpaitoon played down the need to stipulate that citizens have the right and duty to oppose the nullification of the new constitution by possible future coups, even though that was inscribed in the 1997 version. "If a coup occurs, that article will also be nullified. We can write it in but the real effect would be so minimal," he said. As the number of sceptics grows due to fear that the new constitution may allow for a non-elected prime minister, and a group recently launched an anti-charter campaign by insisting that the process was "illegitimate" because it was sponsored by the junta which abrogated the 1997 charter last September, Prasong urged the public not to take sides yet. "The house hasn't been built yet but [some] have already said no ... There are no instructions from the Council for National Security and the debate [among drafters] is open and transparent with reporters permitted to listen. We're working independently [of the junta]." Prasong hopes the new charter can have a long, useful life if it passes the referendum. The man who is taking part in framing his second constitution refused to pledge, however, that this would be the last in Thai history.
Pravit Rojanaphruk CHA-AM, PHETCHABURI
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