AEKARACH SATTABURUTH
A petition to replace the 2007 constitution with the 1997 version, nullified by the coup, was accepted yesterday by House Speaker Chai Chidchob, who has put it on the agenda for the next meeting of parliament.
The move was met with disapproval from members of Mr Chai's People Power party, who claim it will affect the vetting of other amendment drafts.
The petition was put forward by the People's Committee for the 2007 Constitution Amendment, led by activist Weng Tojirakarn. It was signed by 71,543 eligible voters. Mr Chai has called a four-day sitting of parliament from Monday. The key item on the agenda is the government's policy statement.
But he said yesterday he was required by the constitution to place the petition on the agenda as well for vetting.
Several of his fellow People Power MPs saw it as a move to fuel anti-government sentiment among protesters.
Mr Chai said he had no idea whether the parliament could vet the proposed draft during the four-day sitting.
The MPs said constitutional amendments in the House of Representatives had already begun as the cabinet has agreed in principle to rewrite Article 291, which will clear the way for a drafting committee to include non-politicians.
The amendment, proposed by Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, is aimed at defusing the current political conflict. It is included in the government's policy statement which will be declared to the parliament next week.
Mr Weng said his group's proposal could ease the current political discord. "We believe they [the People's Alliance for Democracy] will not oppose the 1997 charter.
"Our amendment bill which has been proposed as an urgent motion would save the time required for the formation of another constitution drafting committee," he said.
PPP MP for Nong Khai Pongpan Sunthornchai opposed the Weng proposal being put on the House agenda. It could be mistaken as a government trick to slip through its preferred amendment draft, he said.
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