Key politicians call for Charter amendments

BANGKOK, December 23 (TNA) - Months after Thailand’s new regime under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra took office in August 2011, power players in Thai politics are now calling for the resumption of a Charter amendment process. Chumpol Silpa-archa, leader of the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party emphasized his party’s solid support for the constitutional amendment process, saying today that so far only minor revisions have been carried out, leaving what said to be many undemocratic aspects in the country’s highest law. Chumpol insisted, however, that Charter revisions must not be done for the sake of convicted ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, warning in particular against amending Article 309 of the country's 2007 Constitution concerning actions carried out before and after the 2006 coup, including Article 112. Chumpol, who is now Tourism and Sports Minister, also urged the ruling Pheu Thai Party-led coalition government to demonstrate unity and common stance in rewriting the Charter in order to avoid any public confusion. Meanwhile, former Thai premier General Chavalit Yongchaiyut expressed his support for the proposed amendments of the 2007 Charter, saying all Thais want to experience true democracy and calling for the setting up of a new constitutional drafting assembly. General Chavalit suggested that the setting up of the new constitutional drafting assembly will enable equal public participation and will ensure that nothing is done for the sake of any individual. (TNA)