- Title: Thai draft constitution will be "strong medicine" says panel head.
- Date: 20th January 2016
- Summary: BANGKOK,THAILAND (JANUARY 20, 2016)(REUTERS) CHAIRMAN OF CONSTITUTION DRAFTING COMMITTEE MEECHAI RUCHUPAN SITTING VARIOUS OF MEECHAI TALKING (SOUNDBITE)(Thai) CHAIRMAN OF CONSTITUTION DRAFTING COMMITTEE, MEECHAI RUCHUPAN, SAYING: "For a long time Thailand has had the problems of corruption and abuse of power, lack of morality and good governance. It (this new constitution)
- Embargoed: 4th February 2016 10:47
- Keywords:
- Location: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- City: BANGKOK, THAILAND
- Country: Thailand
- Reuters ID: LVA00140USX1H
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDITORS PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL WHICH WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
A draft constitution for army-run Thailand due to be unveiled this month will be "strong medicine", the constitution panel head said on Wednesday (January 20), adding that there was no guarantee it would pass a referendum, meaning a further extension of military rule.
The May 2014 coup ended months of political protests in Bangkok aimed at ousting a civilian government, since when the junta has curbed basic freedoms and pushed back the timetable for elections to 2017.
Meechai Ruchupan, 77, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, said the constitution aimed to solve long-running problems.
"For a long time Thailand has had the problems of corruption and abuse of power, lack of morality and good governance. It (this new constitution) will solve the problem," said Meechai.
"If we are to reform the country, we have to use strong medicine," Meechai told Reuters in an interview.
"If you have to write a constitution to favour (someone) but the country cannot move forward, what would you choose between your country or the popularity of a political party. No matter how you write (the constitution), they (politicians) will not agree with you," said Meechai.
A previous draft was rejected in September by a now-defunct National Reform Council. Some critics called the draft "unconstitutional" and fear a repeat.
A second failed draft would give the army additional room to prolong its stay in power, say analysts.
Getting a new constitution approved in a referendum is a key part of the junta's "roadmap to democracy" and a 2017 general election. It's also one of the biggest hurdles for the junta, known as the National Council of Peace and Order, because if the draft doesn't pass, it would add to pressure at home and abroad for a quick return to elections.
The interim constitution does not say what will happen if the draft is voted down, leading to more uncertainty.
The constitution would be Thailand's 20th in 84 years of often turbulent democracy.
For the past decade, Thailand has been locked in a bitter conflict between the Bangkok-based royalist-military establishment and supporters of former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, and their Puea Thai Party.
Meechai said the current draft, running at 261 pages, was not aimed at limiting the influence of the Shinawatra family, which has won every election since 2001, nor that of any political party.
"They (Puea Thai party) might win again. If people vote for them, they will get the vote. We are not blocking any political party. If they (any political party) are popular, votes go to them," said Meechai.
"We do the best we can to write the constitution. Everybody on every side has to reform and change. All citizens need to reform themselves too because they have to follow the new law. Political parties also have to reform and stop corruption," said Meechai.
The referendum on the draft constitution is expected in July. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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