POST REPORTERS
The government has backed down from its plan to amend Article 309 of the constitution, which validates the actions of the Assets Scrutiny Committee in investigating alleged abuse of power by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his cabinet ministers In what was seen as a sign of compromise, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday said he believed revising Article 309 would not be feasible.
He preferred to see changes made to the way MPs and senators are chosen and the drawing up of constituencies.
The government would leave it up to parliament to decide on constitutional amendments.
His cabinet would concentrate on tackling people's problems instead.
Speaking before a dinner with leaders of the coalition parties, he said would stress this point at the meeting.
Article 309 is believed to be one of the chief targets of the People Power party's push to amend the 2007 charter.
To deflect criticism, the PPP decided to go for a rewrite of the constitution. Critics say it is trying to cover up its real intentions.
Article 309 endorses the investigation of Mr Thaksin and his government and all actions taken by the coup-makers.
A source said that Mr Samak's comment is likely to reduce pressure on the government following rumours that his party's determined push for the amendment could lead to a coup.
Earlier in the day, Mr Samak visited army headquarters to meet army leaders. He later dropped by the navy.
Leaders of the coalition parties turned up at the Paesano restaurant in Bangkok last night to discuss the charter rewrite.
Present were Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro and secretary-general Pradit Phattaraprasit; Puea Pandin leader Suwit Khunkitti; Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong; Matchimathipataya leader Anongwan Thepsuthin; Chart Thai party chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasat and party leader Banharn Silpa-archa.
Mrs Anongwan said Mr Samak urged them to focus on solving economic problems and leave the charter amendments to parliament. He also briefed them on what he had told army leaders.
Meanwhile, 50 senators led by Pornpan Boonyarattapan yesterday voiced their opposition to the government's charter revision plan.
Mrs Pornpan said the constitution should be in use for at least a year before any attempts were made to amend it.
A panel could then be set up to identify flaws in the constitution and amendments made by a non-partisan constitution drafting assembly.
Senator Khamnoon Sitthisamarn said if a motion to change the constitution is submtted to parliament the group will try to block it.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party, at this time, had no plan to submit a bill to counter the government's amendment. The government should call a halt to its amendment plan before the country plunges into a crisis.
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The government has backed down from its plan to amend Article 309 of the constitution, which validates the actions of the Assets Scrutiny Committee in investigating alleged abuse of power by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his cabinet ministers In what was seen as a sign of compromise, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday said he believed revising Article 309 would not be feasible.
He preferred to see changes made to the way MPs and senators are chosen and the drawing up of constituencies.
The government would leave it up to parliament to decide on constitutional amendments.
His cabinet would concentrate on tackling people's problems instead.
Speaking before a dinner with leaders of the coalition parties, he said would stress this point at the meeting.
Article 309 is believed to be one of the chief targets of the People Power party's push to amend the 2007 charter.
To deflect criticism, the PPP decided to go for a rewrite of the constitution. Critics say it is trying to cover up its real intentions.
Article 309 endorses the investigation of Mr Thaksin and his government and all actions taken by the coup-makers.
A source said that Mr Samak's comment is likely to reduce pressure on the government following rumours that his party's determined push for the amendment could lead to a coup.
Earlier in the day, Mr Samak visited army headquarters to meet army leaders. He later dropped by the navy.
Leaders of the coalition parties turned up at the Paesano restaurant in Bangkok last night to discuss the charter rewrite.
Present were Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro and secretary-general Pradit Phattaraprasit; Puea Pandin leader Suwit Khunkitti; Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong; Matchimathipataya leader Anongwan Thepsuthin; Chart Thai party chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasat and party leader Banharn Silpa-archa.
Mrs Anongwan said Mr Samak urged them to focus on solving economic problems and leave the charter amendments to parliament. He also briefed them on what he had told army leaders.
Meanwhile, 50 senators led by Pornpan Boonyarattapan yesterday voiced their opposition to the government's charter revision plan.
Mrs Pornpan said the constitution should be in use for at least a year before any attempts were made to amend it.
A panel could then be set up to identify flaws in the constitution and amendments made by a non-partisan constitution drafting assembly.
Senator Khamnoon Sitthisamarn said if a motion to change the constitution is submtted to parliament the group will try to block it.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party, at this time, had no plan to submit a bill to counter the government's amendment. The government should call a halt to its amendment plan before the country plunges into a crisis.
Discuss
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