Phraratchadol: If Bhumjaithai MPs Approve Charter Amendment Draft, Ready to Submit to Parliament Speaker on May 20
Bhumjaithai plans to submit a constitutional amendment draft to Parliament on May 20 if approved by its parliamentary group, becoming the first party to propose a new charter based on referendum results.
Phraratchadol Paricharananon, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office, revealed on May 18, 2025 that Bhumjaithai will present its constitutional amendment draft to the party's parliamentary group for consideration on May 19, with plans to submit it to the Parliament speaker on May 20 if approved, making Bhumjaithai the first party to announce a new charter based on the 21 million votes from the public referendum.
According to Phraratchadol, Bhumjaithai's draft would amend Article 256 of the Constitution by adding Section 15/1 to create a new charter following the referendum results, with no changes to Sections 1 and 2, which would be locked from amendment even by the Constitutional Drafting Assembly.
When asked how the constitutional amendment would succeed given existing conflicts, Phraratchadol stated that the party must review past problems and obstacles, then improve the draft and negotiate with all sides. He noted that passing the amendment in the third reading requires support from multiple parties, including the Senate, and at least 20 percent of opposition members.
Phraratchadol clarified that gaining unanimous approval from any single faction is impossible, but Bhumjaithai is committed to pushing the constitutional amendment forward. He emphasized that submitting legislative drafts is the right of each political party, and Bhumjaithai, as a democratic political party, considers it important to be the first to announce a new constitution following the government's rejection of the previous constitutional drafting assembly's draft.
Regarding discussions with the Senate, Phraratchadol noted that the Senate previously insisted on having one-third voting power in constitutional amendments before the Constitutional Drafting Assembly is established. This issue will be discussed within the party on May 19 to determine the middle ground, noting that Bhumjaithai's original draft included provisions for one-fifth voting power.
