Bangkok: The Constitutional Court has mandated that the President of the National Assembly provide a copy of the meeting report within 15 days. This requirement is part of the process to request an interpretation regarding a referendum prior to amending the constitution and to determine whether the court will accept or reject the decision.
According to Thai News Agency, the Constitutional Court reviewed a petition from the President of the National Assembly. The petition asked the court to rule on the National Assembly's duties and powers under Section 210, paragraph one (2) of the Constitution. The issue arose during a special joint meeting of the National Assembly No. 6 (second ordinary session of the year) held on Monday, 17 March 2025. The meeting included an urgent motion put forth by Senator Mr. Premsak Piayura and House Representative Mr. Wisut Chainarun. They proposed that the National Assembly request the Constitutional Court to rule on the duties and powers specified in the Constitution. The National Assembly voted in favor of sending the matter to the Constitutional Court for consideration.
Subsequently, on 21 March, the President of the National Assembly forwarded the issue to the Constitutional Court. The court, upon reviewing the petition and its accompanying documents, decided that the President should submit a shorthand version of the meeting report from the joint session held on 17 March 2025. This report is required within 15 days of receiving the court's letter and is essential for the court to decide on accepting or rejecting the petition.
This development stems from a joint parliamentary meeting on March 17, where a vote of 304 to 150 approved the decision to send the matter to the Constitutional Court. The court is tasked with interpreting its authority to draft a new constitution and determining whether a referendum should precede any constitutional amendments.