Mark Allies to Amend Constitution, Unlock Senate Veto Power

Thairath•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Abhisit Vejjajiva and coalition partners are pushing for constitutional amendments through two draft proposals, aiming to allow for a new charter to be drafted within 240 days.

•Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, along with allied parties, is proposing two draft amendments to the constitution.
•The proposals aim to facilitate the drafting of a new constitution by potentially removing the Senate's veto power and establishing a 240-day timeline.
•A key aspect of the proposed charter drafting process involves selecting 100 charter drafters, with 80 chosen via public polls and 20 expert appointments.
•The amendments require a 3/5 majority vote from parliament for final approval of the new constitution.
•The public overwhelmingly approved the creation of a new constitution in a referendum held on February 8, 2026.

Overview

•On May 29, 2026, Abhisit Vejjajiva and coalition parties announced their progress on constitutional amendments.
•The initiative follows a public referendum on February 8, 2026, where a majority approved the drafting of a new constitution.
•Two draft amendments to the constitution are being proposed, focusing on Articles 256 and 256/1.
•The amendments are necessary because the Democrat Party lacks sufficient members to propose amendments independently and seeks to address public concerns.
•The proposed new charter is targeted for completion within 240 days.
•A total of 100 charter drafters are proposed: 80 selected through public electronic polls and 20 expert appointments.
•The proposals aim to unlock the Senate's veto power and address concerns regarding the amendment of sensitive chapters (1 and 2) of the constitution.
•The final draft of the new constitution will require approval by a 3/5 majority vote in parliament before proceeding to a public referendum.

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Source: Thairath (Original)

Key Quotes

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"We are quite flexible, not binding in detail which committees the charter drafters must form, but it is the right of the charter drafters to draft the constitution within 240 days and listen to public opinion as they deem fit, before sending it back to parliament for approval."

เราค่อนข้างยืดหยุ่น โดยไม่เขียนรายละเอียดผูกมัดว่า ส.ส.ร. จะต้องตั้งคณะกรรมาธิการชุดไหนอย่างไร แต่กำหนดให้เป็นสิทธิ์ของ ส.ส.ร. ในการจัดทำร่างรัฐธรรมนูญให้เสร็จสิ้นภายใน 240 วัน และต้องรับฟังความคิดเห็นประชาชนตามวิธีที่กำหนดเอง ก่อนจะส่งกลับมาให้รัฐสภาเห็นชอบ

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"The requirement of 3/5 parliamentary votes for final approval is to avoid conflict that could lead to parliament dissolution like in the past."

การกำหนดให้ใช้เสียงสมาชิกรัฐสภา 3 ใน 5 ในการเห็นชอบร่างสุดท้ายนั้น ทำขึ้นเพื่อหลีกเลี่ยงปัญหาความขัดแย้งที่อาจนำไปสู่เหตุการณ์ยุบสภาเหมือนในอดีต

Key Entities

Person

Mark(มาร์ค)ℹ️

Abbreviation used for Abhisit Vejjajiva, a Member of Parliament and leader of the Democrat Party.

Abhisit Vejjajiva(นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ)ℹ️

Member of Parliament (List MP) and leader of the Democrat Party who is proposing constitutional amendments.

Charter Drafters(สมาชิกสภาร่างรัฐธรรมนูญ)

Individuals who will be responsible for drafting the new constitution.

Senators(สว.)ℹ️

Members of the Senate, whose veto power is a key point of discussion in the proposed constitutional amendments.

Organization

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️

Political party led by Abhisit Vejjajiva, proposing constitutional amendments.

Constitutional Court(ศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ)ℹ️

The court responsible for constitutional interpretation, whose rulings are considered in the proposed charter drafting.

Place

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The legislative body of Thailand where constitutional amendments are proposed and approved.