Phraratchadej Announces in Senate: Government Will Amend Constitution, Declines to Provide Timeline, Claims Cannot Bypass Legislative Branch

The Senate urges the government to advance constitutional amendments. Phraratchadej reaffirms commitment without deviation, awaiting the new constitution draft. He declines to provide a timeline for constitutional amendments, citing inability to circumvent the legislative branch.

At 9:30 a.m. on May 18, 2025, at Parliament, the Senate convened with Mongkol Surasatja, Senate President, presiding over a question examination.

Senator Noraseth Prachyakorn questioned the Prime Minister about constitutional amendment, noting that 21 million voters approved the amendment in a referendum, yet the government has offered little clarity on how it will proceed. He emphasized this is the government's responsibility to advance. While the government often says constitutional amendments are not as urgent as economic concerns, the public does not necessarily want amendments prioritized first but seeks clarity on the process. Constitutional reform can proceed alongside addressing economic issues, he said, asking when the government will submit the amendment to Parliament and when the second referendum question will be held, and what guarantees the government provides for full public participation to ensure the new constitution is legitimate and truly belongs to the people.

Phraratchadej Parisnananatkul, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, clarified on behalf of the PM that pushing for constitutional amendments through Section 15/1 is not directly the government's power but falls under the legislative branch. The authority to propose constitutional amendments belongs to Parliament. The Bhumjaithai Party stands ready to follow the voice of 21 million people by submitting a constitutional amendment to Section 15/1, with a party meeting scheduled for May 19 to consider the primary issues. If MPs approve, the party will proceed to register as one of the five entities authorized to submit the draft to Parliament.

"The government cannot set a timeline for Parliament, as we don't know if the first reading will pass or how long the committee process will take. However, we can confirm the government will implement every procedure and accelerate what we can control, such as expediting the referendum process and supporting the constitutional amendment," Phraratchadej stated.

Phraratchadej further noted that public participation extends beyond voting booths. Citizens should have more than three seconds to express their views, not just the time spent in a voting booth. The amendments must align with the Constitutional Court's ruling, as the court did not permit direct election of constitution drafting assembly members.

The government reaffirmed it will utilize all mechanisms requested by Parliament to maximize public participation in all dimensions, ensuring the new constitution truly belongs to the people.