Bhumjaithai Explains Pheu Thai Draft Withdrawal, Cites Constitution Risk

Matichon•Politics•10d ago

Reader Briefing

Bhumjaithai Party withdraws support for Pheu Thai's draft constitution, citing concerns over the origin of constitution drafters potentially violating a Constitutional Court ruling and risking government stability.

•On June 4, 2026, Bhumjaithai Party announced it ordered its MPs to withdraw support from a draft constitution proposed by Pheu Thai Party.
•The withdrawal is due to concerns that the draft's method for selecting constitution drafters may violate Constitutional Court Ruling 18/2025.
•Bhumjaithai emphasized that this action would not affect coalition government relations but aims to prevent potential legal challenges that could destabilize the government.
•The party advocates for public participation through referendums as the ultimate decision-making process for constitutional matters.

Overview

•On June 4, 2026, at 09:30 AM, Bhumjaithai Party announced its decision to withdraw support for the Pheu Thai draft constitution proposal.
•Bhumjaithai Party cited concerns that the draft's provision for directly electing 300 Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) members, with Parliament selecting 100, might violate Constitutional Court Ruling 18/2025.
•The Constitutional Court ruling reportedly stated that Parliament cannot directly allow citizens to choose constitution drafters, and that amendments must follow procedures outlined in Chapter 15.
•Bhumjaithai asserts that allowing Parliament to select CDA members based on vote count, even if not the highest, could be interpreted as Parliament directly selecting drafters, potentially contradicting public intent.
•Bhumjaithai fears that if the draft is successfully petitioned to the Constitutional Court, it could lead to delays or the collapse of the government, impacting its stability.
•Bhumjaithai stated its commitment to amending the constitution in line with the Constitutional Court's ruling and valuing public opinion through referendums.
•Bhumjaithai clarified that its action is not a rejection but a clarification of issues, emphasizing a clear and straightforward approach to constitutional amendment processes.
•Bhumjaithai will review other draft proposals from parties like Prachachart and Democrat, indicating its stance will be based on its own draft's principles once reviewed in Parliament's first reading.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Nikon Jamnong

"Bhumjaithai Party found concerning issues that the content may violate Constitutional Court ruling 18/2025, stating that the drafting of a new constitution must follow Chapter 15 on amendments, which Parliament has the power to amend, but Parliament cannot directly allow people to choose constitution drafters."

พรรคภูมิใจไทยพบประเด็นที่น่ากังวลว่า เนื้อหาจะขัดต่อคำวินิจฉัยของศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ ที่ 18/2025 ในส่วนที่ว่าการจัดทำร่างรัฐธรรมนูญฉบับใหม่ต้องเป็นไปตามบทบัญญัติ หมวด 15 การแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมรัฐธรรมนูญ ซึ่งรัฐสภามีอำนาจแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมรัฐธรรมนูญได้ แต่รัฐสภาไม่อาจให้ประชาชนเลือกผู้ร่างรัฐธรรมนูญได้โดยตรง

Nikon Jamnong

"What is the benefit if it is petitioned? We believe we have held 3 referendums, the people decide everything."

ถ้าถูกร้องแล้วจะมีประโยชน์อะไร ซึ่งเราเชื่อว่า เราทำประชามติ 3 ครั้ง ประชาชนเป็นคนตัดสินทั้งหมด

Nikon Jamnong

"We are proceeding straightforwardly and clearly."

เราเดินตรงไปตรงมาอย่างชัดเจน

Key Entities

Organization

Bhumjaithai Party(พรรคภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

A political party that ordered its MPs to withdraw support from Pheu Thai's draft constitution.

Pheu Thai Party(พรรคเพื่อไทย)ℹ️

The political party that proposed the draft constitution which Bhumjaithai Party withdrew support from.

Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The judicial body whose ruling (18/2025) Bhumjaithai Party believes the Pheu Thai draft constitution may violate.

Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) members(สมาชิกสภาร่างรัฐธรรมนูญ (ส.ส.ร.))

The body to be elected to draft a new constitution, whose selection method is the subject of dispute by Bhumjaithai Party.

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The legislative body of Thailand, which has the power to amend the constitution and is involved in the selection of CDA members.

Prachachart Party(พรรคประชาชน)ℹ️

A political party whose draft proposal for CDA selection, along with Democrat Party's, Bhumjaithai Party intends to review.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️

A political party whose draft proposal for CDA selection, along with Prachachart Party's, Bhumjaithai Party intends to review.

Person

Nikon Jamnong(นายนิกร จำนง)

Member of Parliament for Bhumjaithai Party who explained the party's decision to withdraw support from the Pheu Thai draft constitution.

Naraseth Prachakorn(นายนรเศรษฐ์ ปรัชญากร)

A Senator who discussed consulting with Constitutional Court judges regarding constitutional draft procedures.

Law

Constitutional Court Ruling 18/2025(คำวินิจฉัยของศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ ที่ 18/2025)

A ruling by the Constitutional Court that Bhumjaithai Party believes the Pheu Thai draft constitution's method for selecting constitution drafters may violate.