Back in the Ring – Pheu Thai Moves Forward with New Constitutional Amendment Bid
Pheu Thai is reviving constitutional amendment efforts by organizing a working committee to determine whether to pursue its original draft, which requires provincial selection of assembly members before parliamentary approval, but faces the
Constitutional amendment has returned as a contentious political issue, underscoring that the country's fundamental law remains a major priority for all parties. Despite various governments declaring it as policy, political limitations, legal constraints, and societal disagreements have prevented constitutional amendments from ever reaching completion. Most recently, after the cabinet rejected a pending draft amendment in parliament, Bhumjaithai Party prepared to submit its own new version for consideration. Pheu Thai, which promised to push for constitutional reform since its campaign period, is now mobilizing. The party is organizing a working committee meeting with key leaders Pongsathorn Thepkachana and Jaturon Chayaeng to determine the path forward, with two main focal points. The first concerns whether to adopt Pheu Thai's original draft, which stipulates that each province selects members of the constitutional drafting assembly before parliament conducts a second round of selection. This approach was designed to sidestep constitutional court objections, as it avoids direct election of assembly members while allowing public participation in drafting the country's new framework. The second key issue involves the political dynamics in parliament, as proposing a constitutional amendment requires signatures from at least one-fifth of all parliamentarians. With only 74 votes, Pheu Thai must rely on cooperation from both opposition and coalition parties. This represents a critical test of whether government and opposition can transcend political divides to address constitutional reform as a shared national agenda. If all sides continue viewing the constitution as a political game rather than a common national concern, the chances of reaching a successful conclusion may be slim. Ultimately, constitutional amendment is not merely a matter for parliamentarians but concerns all citizens, since the constitution determines the country's long-term future. It remains to be seen whether this new round will produce tangible change or merely repeat the failed attempts of the past.
