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Published on July 26, 2007

Weerasak likened the draft constitution to a faulty car. However, he said that though there was much room for improvement in the car, the public should still drive it. He said that option was better than allowing the Council for National Security to revive any previous constitution in the event that the draft is rejected in the upcoming national referendum.

"Thailand has had 16 previous car models. It is hard to guess which model the CNS will pick," he said. Using the car analogy, he outlined four problems with the draft constitution.

l It had swollen tyres that might explode - because judges are to be given too much power.

"If the air in the tyres is not released - and the car is in use for some time - a judicial crisis will erupt or the tyres will explode," he said.

l The car's chassis was crooked - because there would be both appointed and elected senators.

"The appointed senators will be accused of being representatives of power groups, while some elected senators won't be able to work efficiently for their constituents because every province is allowed only one senator no matter how big or small that province.

l The car did not have a fuse box that could prevent an electrical short-circuit - because the draft allows judges and independent agencies to propose legislation to the House directly without Cabinet approval.

"Power groups can lobby MPs directly if they want bills to be passed. This car risks catching fire from a short-circuit," he said.

l The car has a blurred windscreen - because the public does not understand why election zones are categorised into eight groups of provinces.

Weerasak also criticised the multiple MP constituency system that allows voters to choose three MPs. He said the system is confusing and it would be hard for voters to remember the numbers of each candidate and who they represent.

Meanwhile in Phitsanulok yesterday, four monks went around temples in the rural areas of the province where they spoke out against the draft charter after obtaining the permission of the respective temple's abbots.

At the Dong Chan Temple in Wang Thong district they urged people to vote 'No' in the charter referendum on August 19.

They also distributed leaflets and CDs to their audience.

The leaflets said that approval of the draft charter would not ensure a quick poll as organic laws would need to be written. If rejected and the 1997 Constitution reintroduced, the laws could be introduced quickly as they had already been written.