CPD IS AGAINST CHARTER CHANGES

       The Campaign for Popular Democracy has voiced opposition to the government's bid to amend the 2007 Constitution, saying that such a move would only benefit politicians.
       Suriyan Thongnu-ied, acting secretary-general, said yesterday that the proposed changes are not an issue for the general public because the charter is sufficiently progressive, especially in protecting civil liberties and community rights.
       He said all previous charter amendments have failed to reduce the number of corrupt politicians.
       "When politicians and governments are corrupt, there are arguments for the military to stage coups and nullify the charter. New charters are then written and amended. It's a vicious circle."
       "If the government insists on charter amendment, there should be a referendum asking voters which articles of the charter should be amended instead of amending the charter first and then asking the people to endorse such revisions," he said.
       Seri Suwannapanont, former deputy head of the charter-drafting committee, said it's obvious that politicians would gain from the proposed charter amendments, especially the government and the ruling Democrat Party.
       The coalition partners also hope to use the movement to push for other issues such as an amnesty for ex-politicians, he added.
       Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of New Politics Party, said the charter amendment could lead to a wider political rift and waste public funds since it costs about Bt2 billion to organise a nationwide referendum.
       The proposed referendum on charter amendments could also be turned into a referendum on the fate of this government, he said.
       Instead, the government should hold public hearings on the charter amendments as a means to educate the general public, he said.
       In his weekly address, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the charter amendments would proceed under two guiding principles - the rewriting must foster the reconciliation of politicians and the proposed amendments must be endorsed by the people via a referendum.
       The whips from all parties had agreed to frame the charter rewrite on six issues and the government would ensure the people to have the final say in the matter by voting in the referendum, he said.
       He promised each of the six amendments would be enacted only after passing the referendum.
       In regard to the timing of the referendum, the parties were weighing three options - before the drafting of amendments, after the completion of the draft and following the parliamentary deliberation.
       The proponents and opponents of the charter rewrite would be allocated sufficient time to air their views ahead of the referendum, he said.
       The referendum should take about 90 days to complete, he said.