BANGKOK, THAILAND – On the eve of a crucial referendum on a possible constitutional rewrite, supporters and opponents in Bangkok intensified their rival appeals to voters.
Pro-democracy alliance urged approval
A network of about 80 pro-democracy and human-rights groups issued a joint statement on Friday calling on citizens to vote in favour of revising the constitution in the upcoming referendum. The signatories argued that only a charter drafted with broad public participation could secure genuine democratic legitimacy.
“Only a text developed through broad public participation can create a new constitution with real democratic legitimacy.”
said the pro-democracy alliance in its statement.
Criticism of the 2017 constitution
The groups pointed out that the 2017 constitution had emerged from the 2014 military coup and therefore lacked democratic credibility. They said both the origins and content of the current charter undermined key democratic principles by restricting civil liberties, heavily centralising power and enabling the extension of government tenure through independent agencies and the Senate.
“The people have so far been denied the right to decide their own political future.”
said the alliance, accusing the existing system of limiting public participation.
Broad civil society backing for rewrite
Supporters of a new charter included the Campaign Committee for Democracy, the Human Rights Lawyers Association, the People’s Network for Elections, the People’s Movement for a Just Society and the Anti-Corruption People’s Network. They framed the referendum as an opportunity for a fresh start based on wider citizen involvement in drafting the country’s basic law.
Conservative camp rallied in Silom
At the same time, a camp opposing constitutional change gathered in Bangkok’s commercial district of Silom, led by physician Dr Tul Sitthisomwong. Participants held placards, chanted slogans against drawing up a new constitution and made clear they wanted to preserve the existing charter.
“We want to keep the current constitution and prevent a rewrite that could weaken safeguards against abuse of power.”
said Dr Tul Sitthisomwong, who headed the rally.
Defense of ethics and control mechanisms
Dr Tul stressed that the core principle of the current constitution was the strict enforcement of ethical standards for politicians, and that the 2017 charter remained necessary to curb political misconduct. He cited cases in which office-holders had lost their positions for violating rules on improper reallocation of budget funds.
“The key strength of the current charter is its mechanism for holding politicians accountable.”
said Dr Tul, highlighting what he viewed as its main benefit.
Investigations into lawmakers and past premiers
Dr Tul also pointed to the removal of two former prime ministers over breaches of ethical rules as evidence that the existing framework was effective. According to him, around 400 members of parliament and senators who were said to have approved changes to budget reallocations were currently being examined by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Limited openness to targeted amendments
During the rally, Dr Tul acknowledged that certain provisions of the 2017 constitution might indeed require amendment. At the same time, he insisted that the accountability mechanisms for politicians represented what he regarded as the central strength of the current charter, even as the wider public debate remained sharply polarised over whether Thailand needed a completely new basic law.