Thai parliament resolves political crisis, begins elections today

 

    After Thailand plunged into a political crisis and protesters continued to protest for months, only on November 17, 2020, the Thai parliament will start voting. On seven constitutional amendments to seek an end to this crisis.

Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva predicted last week that Thai lawmakers could agree on seven draft laws and amendments.

However, Parit Wacharasindhu, a former Democrat candidate, said the National Assembly could resolve the current political crisis in Thailand by accepting amendments to the draft law.

According to the Thai newspaper The Nation, the guidelines for the seven draft laws include:

The first draft law, proposed by the ruling party, required a committee of elected members to write a new constitution within 120 days, retaining the first and second chapters on monarchy.

The second draft law, proposed by the opposition, requires an elected committee to draft a new constitution within 240 days, retaining chapters one and two.

The third draft law is proposed by the opposition party to amend Articles 270 and 271 to remove the power of senators to reform the law.

The fourth draft law is proposed by the opposition to amend Article 272 to remove the power of senators to elect the Prime Minister and to allow non-members of parliament to become Prime Minister.

The fifth draft law is proposed by the opposition to amend Article 279, revoking the National Security Order of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

The sixth draft law is proposed by the opposition to reorganize the electoral system for a double vote in accordance with the 1997 Constitution (so-called People's Constitution).

The 7th draft law was proposed by the Human Rights Watchdog (iLaw) and proposed by the people with 10 demands, including:

1. Allow the amendment of the Constitution more easily through the National Assembly.

2. To allow the amendment of any chapter or section.

3. Abolish the national strategy to reform the country ordered by the NCPO.

4. Abolish unelected local administrative organizations.

5. Prohibit MPs from becoming Prime Minister.

6. Prohibition of amnesty for NCPO members.

7. Remove the power of senators to reform the law.

8. To deprive the power of senators to elect the Prime Minister.

9. Rewrite the Constitution with a fully elected drafting committee.

10. Find new members for independent institutions and the Constitutional Court.