Pheu Thai to Submit Two Constitutional Amendment Drafts This Week, Opening Path for Charter-Drafting Assembly from Elections without Granting Special Powers to Senate
Pheu Thai plans to submit two constitutional amendment drafts this week to establish an elected charter-drafting assembly without expanding Senate powers, with members chosen through public elections or a two-stage electoral process.
The Pheu Thai Party plans to submit two constitutional amendment drafts to Section 15/1 this week, establishing a framework for an elected charter-drafting assembly without granting additional powers to the Senate. On May 25, 2025, Pricha Vatchrsindhul, a Pheu Thai list MP and deputy party leader, announced the party would submit both drafts to open discussion on forming the charter-drafting assembly through elections, including both geographical and issue-based representatives, without expanding Senate authority.
The party will present detailed drafts to parliament on May 26, with the following key features:
1. A 150-member assembly divided into geographical representatives and issue-based, professional, and social sector representatives
2. Assembly members selected through public elections. Draft 1 has voters directly elect all 150 members, then submit their names for parliamentary endorsement as a complete slate—if parliament approves all 150, they begin work; if not, a full new election is held. Draft 2 has voters elect 300 candidates, whom parliament then narrows to 150 using safeguards against monopolization and maintaining independence from political parties and parliamentary members.
3. The assembly can establish committees, including a mandatory constitutional drafting committee with both assembly members and outside experts selected by the assembly, plus other committees as needed such as a public consultation and participation promotion committee.
4. The assembly has authority to draft a new constitution as long as it does not change the system of government or state form, as stipulated in Article 255 of the current constitution.
5. The assembly has a maximum of 360 days to draft the new constitution.
6. The assembly continues operating regardless of parliamentary dissolution or the end of the current legislature's term.
7. Once the charter-drafting assembly completes the draft, it must submit it to parliament for approval requiring more than half of parliamentary members' support. If approved, the draft proceeds to a national referendum.
Pricha also noted that beyond the two Pheu Thai drafts, the party is willing to co-sign drafts from other political parties or other parliamentary members needing additional signatures, provided they align with Pheu Thai's core principles.
