Chart Pattana Chief Accuses House Speaker of Overstepping Constitution
Chart Pattana chief Pol. Lt. Col. Thawi Sodsong accuses the House Speaker of issuing committee guidelines that violate Section 129 of the Constitution, weakening legislative oversight by replacing "summon" with "invite" and placing administ
During the meeting, Pol. Lt. Col. Thawi Sodsong, in his capacity as a committee member, stated he was one of eight members who disagreed with the guidelines endorsed by the House Speaker for the general committees' operations. He said the guidelines conflict with Section 129 of the Constitution and the House meeting regulations, critically weakening the system of checks and balances on the administration. The order effectively gives administrative letters greater power than the Constitution. Thawi cited specific issues: Section 1.1 requires strict literal interpretation, whereas the law calls for interpretation based on legislative intent; Section 1.2 mandates immediate termination of related cases, though the Constitution does not order termination; Section 2.2 imposes numerous conditions for special meetings. Crucially, Section 129 grants the power to summon those who fail to attend, yet the guidelines replace "summon" with "invite," which Thawi argued exceeds constitutional authority. "As legislators we always say we must respect the rule of law, but when the guidelines are written above the Constitution and regulations, I think that is dangerous," Thawi said. He noted the rule of law index gives low scores to legislative oversight of the executive, but if changes are desired they should be made through Parliament; using these guidelines is unconstitutional and illegal.
