Don't derail charter fixThe recent ruling issued by the Constitutional Court on the power of parliament in amending the 2017 charter has led to various interpretations amid predictions that if things go wrong the country could head into another period of intense conflict. Like it or not, parliament and the government are obliged to follow the contentious ruling which stipulates a referendum ahead of the charter amendment. The government, particularly Prime Minister Prayut, should be reminded of its commitment on the charter rewrite, which was a party election campaign policy. Even better, the government with its majority must accelerate the referendum bill, so it is promulgated in time for the forthcoming charter referendum. If most people give the charter rewrite a yes, parliament can resume the third reading for Section 256, vote and immediately kick off the election of the charter drafting assembly.

Source: Bangkok Post March 17, 2021 23:48 UTC