Govt challenged on charter change plan
POST REPORTERS
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat yesterday called on Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda to seek advice on national administration before delivering a policy statement to parliament.
Mr Somchai, also defence minister, spent about 45 minutes in a private meeting with Gen Prem at the Privy Council chief's Si Sao Thewes residence.
Gen Prem was seen smiling as he saw Mr Somchai off to his car. Both men reportedly conversed in the southern dialect.
Gen Prem is a native of Songkhla, while the prime minister's home province is Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Speaking after leaving Gen Prem's house, Mr Somchai said he paid a visit to Gen Prem out of loyalty and respect.
"He is a phuyai who serves as a good example for our country.
"I think it will be a blessing if I have a chance to meet him and seek his advice when assuming office," he said.
Mr Somchai declined to discuss details of their meeting but said Gen Prem was kind to him and gave him advice which would be good for the country.
He said no serious issues were raised during the talks when asked if they discussed the protracted protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and refused to reply when asked if deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was one of the topics.
He said it would depend on the public's perception of the meeting when asked if his talks with Gen Prem would help resolve the political stalemate.
Critics viewed the meeting as Mr Somchai's attempt to shore up his government's image. The meeting was brokered by Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who once worked under Gen Prem.
The PAD and the Democrat party yesterday urged the government to make clear it would not amend any other provisions besides Article 291 of the constitution.
Their call followed the cabinet's resolution to seek amendments to the article to clear the way for the setting up of a constitution drafting committee.
Article 291 states that one-fifth of MPs or one-fifth of both MPs and senators, or 50,000 people, can submit a motion to parliament for a committee to amend the constitution. But the committee members must be drawn from both the lower and upper houses.
Under the proposed amendment, outsiders would be allowed to take part in the process.
PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang said the government should spell out that it would rewrite only Article 291 and leave the rest intact.
He said the PAD would not get involved in any constitution-drafting process out of concern that it would influence others. The PAD has its own proposal known as "New Politics" to reform the political system.
Democrat deputy leader Jurin Laksanavisit said it is a must for the government to give assurances that the rewrite of Article 291 would not be a pretext for amendments to serve its own interests.
"It must assure that the amendments will not affect party dissolution cases. People might be duped into believing that the drafting committee can solve the crisis," he said.
He said the selection of committee members is crucial. If it comprises government representatives or allies, the amendment would serve its own political agenda.
Chuchai Supawong, a writer of the present constitution, doubted the idea of setting up a drafting committee would be accepted by the public.
The People Power party had attempted to amend the charter, especially articles 190, 237 and 309 with an aim of absolving the so-called Thaksin regime.
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POST REPORTERS
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat yesterday called on Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda to seek advice on national administration before delivering a policy statement to parliament.
Mr Somchai, also defence minister, spent about 45 minutes in a private meeting with Gen Prem at the Privy Council chief's Si Sao Thewes residence.
Gen Prem was seen smiling as he saw Mr Somchai off to his car. Both men reportedly conversed in the southern dialect.
Gen Prem is a native of Songkhla, while the prime minister's home province is Nakhon Si Thammarat.
Speaking after leaving Gen Prem's house, Mr Somchai said he paid a visit to Gen Prem out of loyalty and respect.
"He is a phuyai who serves as a good example for our country.
"I think it will be a blessing if I have a chance to meet him and seek his advice when assuming office," he said.
Mr Somchai declined to discuss details of their meeting but said Gen Prem was kind to him and gave him advice which would be good for the country.
He said no serious issues were raised during the talks when asked if they discussed the protracted protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and refused to reply when asked if deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was one of the topics.
He said it would depend on the public's perception of the meeting when asked if his talks with Gen Prem would help resolve the political stalemate.
Critics viewed the meeting as Mr Somchai's attempt to shore up his government's image. The meeting was brokered by Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who once worked under Gen Prem.
The PAD and the Democrat party yesterday urged the government to make clear it would not amend any other provisions besides Article 291 of the constitution.
Their call followed the cabinet's resolution to seek amendments to the article to clear the way for the setting up of a constitution drafting committee.
Article 291 states that one-fifth of MPs or one-fifth of both MPs and senators, or 50,000 people, can submit a motion to parliament for a committee to amend the constitution. But the committee members must be drawn from both the lower and upper houses.
Under the proposed amendment, outsiders would be allowed to take part in the process.
PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang said the government should spell out that it would rewrite only Article 291 and leave the rest intact.
He said the PAD would not get involved in any constitution-drafting process out of concern that it would influence others. The PAD has its own proposal known as "New Politics" to reform the political system.
Democrat deputy leader Jurin Laksanavisit said it is a must for the government to give assurances that the rewrite of Article 291 would not be a pretext for amendments to serve its own interests.
"It must assure that the amendments will not affect party dissolution cases. People might be duped into believing that the drafting committee can solve the crisis," he said.
He said the selection of committee members is crucial. If it comprises government representatives or allies, the amendment would serve its own political agenda.
Chuchai Supawong, a writer of the present constitution, doubted the idea of setting up a drafting committee would be accepted by the public.
The People Power party had attempted to amend the charter, especially articles 190, 237 and 309 with an aim of absolving the so-called Thaksin regime.
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