The secretary-general of the Pheu Thai Party has called on Move Forward to explain comments made by its leader in relation to amending Section 272 of the constitution. Prasert Chanthararuangthong says his party also needs clarification on MFP’s stance on the lèse majesté law.
It follows a statement issued by MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat on Saturday, July 15, in which he urged all members of the 8-party coalition and the public to help change the minds of senators. He also called for an amendment to Section 272 of the constitution, which would strip senators of the power to choose the country’s prime minister (a vote that would need a majority of a joint sitting of senators and MPs, much the same as the current PM vote – it’s unlikely that Senators would vote themselves out of a job).
However, Prasert says that before the parties meet today, he would like the MFP to clarify their stance on these matters. He says it was clear from the debate that preceded last Thursday’s PM vote that most senators have no objection to Pita becoming PM, but they strongly object to any reform of the lèse majesté law.
According to a Thai PBS World report, Prasert points out that there is no reference to amending the constitution in the MoU signed by the coalition partners. He says now is not the time to raise the issue, which he describes as non-urgent.
He acknowledges a previous attempt by Pheu Thai to amend Section 272 failed, calling on MFP to focus its attention on the urgent issue of forming a government.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
