Bhumjaithai Party Supports Constitutional Amendments, Awaits Senate Decision

Bangkok: Paradorn revealed that the Bhumjaithai Party has approved all three draft constitutional amendments, hoping that the Senate will vote in support. He sees the combined format of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) as a viable draft committee, but emphasized that clear discussions are necessary to avoid violating the Constitutional Court's ruling. According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Paradorn Prisananantakul, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, addressed the consideration of constitutional amendments, stating that yesterday he had discussions with whips from three parties. The Speaker of the House, the Senate, the opposition whip, and the government whip agreed that the draft constitution would be considered on October 14th-15th, with all three drafts submitted for consideration. The Bhumjaithai Party approved all three drafts. As for whether he has spoken with the senators yet, Mr. Paradorn said that he met with four senators yesterday at a whip meeting, and they said they would talk with the ir fellow members. As for whether there are any good signs that the Senate will vote in favor of the constitutional amendment draft, Mr. Paradorn stated that he hopes that will be the case. As for whether he has seen the draft of the Constituent Assembly proposed by the Pheu Thai Party, Mr. Paradorn stated that there are currently three drafts: the Bhumjaithai Party, the Pheu Thai Party, and the Prachachon Party. If all three drafts are accepted, they can be combined into a committee draft. However, they must be discussed, as he has always said, whether direct or indirect elections could violate the Constitutional Court's ruling and lead to interpretations by those who do not wish to amend the constitution.