Chusakdi reveals Pheu Thai set to submit constitutional amendment draft proposing 150 charter drafters, confident it can proceed if all parties are sincere

On May 23, 2569, Chusakdi Sirinilo, Pheu Thai party list MP and deputy party leader, discussed progress on the party's constitutional amendment draft. The party's constitutional amendment working committee will finalize the draft on May 25 to determine if additional changes are needed. If approved, the draft will be presented to Pheu Thai's parliamentary caucus on May 26 for co-signatures. Since Pheu Thai falls 26 votes short, the party must seek cooperation from all political parties to support the proposal. The constitutional amendment draft will be submitted to the parliamentary speaker this week or at the latest early next week.

The draft's content maintains the original principle of maximizing public participation, as public involvement is beneficial. It proposes establishing a 150-member constitutional drafting assembly, with the first 100 selected through an indirect election process where citizens vote for 300 candidates, and parliament then selects 100 finalists. This represents indirect elections with public participation and differs from direct elections as previously ruled by the Constitutional Court. The remaining 50 members would be nominated by various organizations including academic bodies, universities, media outlets, human rights organizations, local administrations, and professional associations to ensure diversity.

Chusakdi stated that the constitutional drafting assembly's operational framework would include mechanisms to address rule of law and constitutional democracy principles, mechanisms to ensure independent organizations have genuine independence to address the country's current problems, and prohibitions against amendments that would alter the form of government under the democratic system with the King as head of state. He believes this framework provides adequate coverage.

When asked if this is a proposal competing with Pheu Thai's own draft, Chusakdi said the ultimate decision rests with parliament. He acknowledged that multiple draft amendments would likely be submitted and sought cooperation from other parties like Prachachat Party, and in principle Pheu Thai welcomes this. Once presented to parliament, a vote will determine how to proceed.

Regarding whether this constitutional amendment will actually succeed, Chusakdi stated it depends on the sincerity of political parties. If all parties are genuinely committed to amending the constitution to improve the nation and advance democracy, they must lower their individual demands and have the matter considered by a commission that seriously evaluates the rationale. Only then can progress be made.