Ruling Party Advocates for Charter Reform amid Controversy
The Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, Chousak Sirinil, addressed criticisms surrounding a proposed charter amendment from the ruling party, which aims to establish ethical standards for political officeholders. He emphasized that the changes would not compromise the constitution’s longstanding principles against corruption.
This proposal to amend various sections of the charter includes provisions for ethical behavior among cabinet ministers, specifically under Section 160, which mandates transparency and integrity for those in political positions.
The initiative follows the recent ousting of Srettha Thavisin as prime minister by the Constitutional Court due to ethical concerns related to his appointment of a former convict as a minister.
Opponents have voiced concerns that these amendments contradict the original spirit of the constitution. However, the ruling party argues that the amendments are necessary to clearly define ethical standards and ensure accountability among public officials.
“Our objective is not to diminish ethical standards but rather to clarify them to avoid administrative challenges,” Chousak stated. “The public understands the significance of this matter for national governance; these standards will not be eliminated but properly established.”
The proposed changes would not apply retroactively to actions taken before the 2017 charter’s implementation, he noted.
On October 1, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will engage with coalition partners regarding the charter changes and discuss plans for a referendum on the amendments.
Both the ruling party and the main opposition have submitted proposals to amend the charter, focusing on section-by-section revisions. Chousak indicated that discussions with senators are forthcoming, as support from the Upper House is crucial for any amendments.
Senator Nantana Nantavaropas acknowledged existing flaws within the current charter and expressed conditional support for the amendments, provided they address these issues prior to drafting a new charter.
Responding to concerns over potential conflicts of interest tied to the amendments, Nantavaropas argued that it is essential for ethical standards for political officials to be clearly defined, rather than open to interpretation.
In a related development, Sonthiya Sawatdee, a former advisor on legal matters, submitted a petition urging the Parliament not to prioritize the ruling and opposition party’s charter proposals, citing concerns of conflict of interest.
Former senator Somchai Swangkarn criticized the amendment proposal as potentially self-serving for politicians under investigation, warning that its passage could trigger another political crisis.
Parliament President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha stated that the legal affairs team is currently reviewing the proposals before they are put on the agenda, assuring that any changes would be made with the public’s best interests in mind.
