Pheu Thai Party is
writing this statement to express our political standpoints and suggestions
regarding the drafting of the new constitution responsible by Mr. Meechai
Ruchupan, the new Head of Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC). Our
standpoints and suggestions are as follow:

1.  The
drafting of the new constitution for our country should have clear philosophy
and objectives. Thailand should be a democracy under constitutional monarchy in
order for our country to sustain politically stability.

2.  Since
the drafting of this constitution is the second time around and the roadmap has
been continuously extended, the international community has publicly expressed
concerns and increased pressure on our country. By the end of 2015 Thailand
will enter into one single market with ASEAN countries. Yet, Thailand still has
no constitution. This could affect our country and people on the country’s
economy and public outlook. Therefore, Pheu Thai Party calls on the CDC to
finish drafting the constitution as soon as possible.  

3.  The
Interim Constitution 2015 stated that the CDC must conduct people referendum
after the drafting is complete. Therefore, the CDC should organize public
hearing on the new constitution since the beginning of the drafting process.
The CDC should be open for public opinion nationwide on the constitution
without blocking any criticism.

4. 
The
constitution should not be too long nor categorized into too many sections. The
content should be precise, easy to understand, realistic and need no further
interpretation especially the parts about people’s rights and privileges. 

5. 
The
ten regulations stated in the
Interim Constitution 2015 make the drafting of the constitution difficult to promote
Thailand as democracy under the constitutional monarchy and sustain our
country’s political stability. The CDC should understand that the ten
regulations were not written by the people. Therefore, the CDC should
interpret these regulations positively with the main idea of rule of law and
democratic principle.

6. 
The Interim
Charter section 37 regarding the public referendum to cast the votes on the new
draft charter should be amended. The public referendum should offer
alternatives between 1997 and 2007 constitutions if anyone decide to vote
against the new constitution. After the public referendum, the Election
Commission Thailand should organize an election within 120 days. Thereafter the
general election, an election of the CDC should be organize to continue drafting
the permanent constitution. This solution should be written in the Interim
Charter’s transitory provision in order for the constitution to truly represent
the people.

7. 
Pheu
Thai Party reaffirm our comments and suggestions made to the former CDC led by Dr.
Bawonsak Uwanno on May 15^th, 2015 as follow:

7.1 The fundamental
principle must constitute democracy and sovereignty which must belong to all
Thai people, not to selective groups.

7.2 The
fundamental principle must constitute three balancing branches of power i.e. legislative,
executive and judicial branch. The laws must also constitute independent
organizations and the empowerment of local government to be able to work for
the people effectively under the rule of lawswith good governance.

7.3 The constitution should establish
check and balance system in democratic practice which allow people to
participate.

7.4 The charter should not
constitute a weak mixed-party government or any kind which would lead our
country to a fail state. Government should be able to serve the people
effectively.  

7.5 The new charter should realistically
promote unity among Thai people and enable the government to enhance people’s
living condition. The charter should not cause yet another political conflict
among people.

7.6 The new charter should not be written
with hidden agenda to maintain’s the junta’s power nor anyone else’s.

7.7 The charter must enable people
to decide who should be their constituency and country leader directly. To
change electoral voting system is to further complicate situation in Thailand
and to cause ineffective result.

7.8 The new charter should be fairly
open for eligible people in normal democratic practice to volunteer and run for
political campaign. The charter which discriminate certain political party or
side is against the rule of laws.

7.9 The new charter should prevent
an abuse of power of independent bodies including the Constitutional Court.

7.10 The new constitution must
allow future amendment so that the laws is up to date to situations which
change overtime. The process of constitution amendment must not be made
impossible.

Pheu
Thai Party 
14 October 2015