Somchai Criticizes Gov't on Constitution, May 12 is Final Chance

Matichon•Politics•21d ago

Reader Briefing

Former Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn accuses the government of breaking its promise to amend the constitution, urging them to fulfill their commitment.

•Former Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn criticizes the government's stance on constitutional amendments.
•The government is accused of prioritizing economic issues over constitutional reform, a broken promise from previous discussions.
•May 12, 2026, is highlighted as the final opportunity for the cabinet to make a decision on the stalled constitutional reform.
•Somchai emphasizes the importance of leaders and politicians upholding their promises and the public's mandate.

Overview

•Somchai Srisutthiyakorn stated that the government's struggle to maintain power leads to a decline in authority and public trust.
•The government cabinet's refusal to affirm the draft constitutional amendment remaining from the previous parliamentary term.
•The government cites the importance of people's livelihoods as a reason for not proceeding with the amendment, suggesting it start anew.
•Anutin Charnvirakul's statement on February 9, 2026, stressed the need to immediately amend the constitution based on referendum results.
•The final cabinet meeting with the opportunity to make a resolution on the constitutional amendment is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
•Somchai Srisutthiyakorn emphasized that leaders must keep their word and political parties have a motto of 'say it, do it'.
•The public's trust in the Prime Minister's word is at stake, with a potential new image of unbelievability if promises are not kept.
•The cabinet must decide by May 12, 2026, whether to uphold their commitment to constitutional amendment or create a new image of untrustworthiness.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Anutin Charnvirakul

"Once in power, they claimed they would amend the constitution. A referendum is the voice of the people. How can it not be listened to? It should be done immediately."

ปากพร่ำว่าจะแก้รัฐธรรมนูญ ประชามติคือเสียงของประชาชน ไม่ฟังได้อย่างไร ต้องรีบทำทันทีด้วยซ้ำ

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn

"The more they struggle to cling to power, the more they lose power and public faith."

ยิ่งดิ้นรนรักษาอำนาจ ยิ่งเสื่อมอำนาจและความศรัทธาจากประชาชน

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn

"Leaders must keep their word. Political parties have mottos: say it, do it."

ผู้นำพูดแล้วต้องมีสัจจะ พรรคการเมืองมีคำขวัญพูดแล้วทำ

Key Entities

Person

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn(สมชัย ศรีสุทธิยากร)ℹ️

Former Election Commissioner (กกต.) who is a vocal critic of the current government's approach to constitutional reform.

Anutin Charnvirakul(อนุทิน ชาญวีรกูล)ℹ️

Quoted in the article regarding the importance of adhering to referendum results for constitutional amendments.

Organization

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The executive body of the Thai government, criticized for its stance on constitutional amendment.

Law

Draft Constitutional Amendment(ร่างแก้ไขเพิ่มเติมรัฐธรรมนูญ)

The legislative proposal that is the central point of contention and criticism in the article.