Thais relieved on charter amendment: survey

BANGKOK, July 15 (TNA) - Fresh polls suggest that most Thai people are relieved at the Constitutional Court ruling last week, which set out conditions on how the 2007 charter can be amended. More than 60 per cent of those surveyed believe however, a friction over local politics will remain in the Thai society. The survey by Suan Dusit claims that more than 80 percent of respondents agreed with the Court ruling as it would help ease political tensions, stemming from attempts by the coalition government to rewrite the charter. It says nearly half of those surveyed believe the government should delay its plan to amend the constitution as it will only create chaos in the country. The Court last Friday issued the ruling which did not prohibit the government from rewriting the charter, but said it should “hold a public referendum” on attempts to amend any section. It reasoned that the current 2007 charter has been implemented following a public referendum and, therefore, any attempts to amend it must also seek a similar public referendum first. Meanwhile, the ABAC Poll found that more than half of all respondents in its recent survey gave their support for amending certain sections of the constitution. It also said more than 60 per cent wanted the coalition government to complete its four-year term. (TNA)