CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
MONGKOL BANGPRAPA
The House subcommittee studying the 2007 constitution has found the charter hands too much authority to independent agencies, but fails to make them accountable to parliament or the public. The subcommittee, appointed by the House special joint committee on charter amendment, is chaired by Kanin Bunsuwan, a former constitution drafter.
The subcommittee studying the charter's format, structure, section divisions and language usage yesterday reported its findings to the House special joint committee chaired by Kramol Thongthammachart.
The subcommittee secretary Winai Pattaraprasit said the authority that the 2007 charter gives to independent agencies such as the Election Commission, the National Counter Corruption Commission and Office of the Auditor-General and Office of the Attorney-General have made those organisations the ''fourth power estate'' in the country's administration system besides the legislative, executive and judicial branches.
The subcommittee reported that the charter's content was written with excessive detail and language, particularly the section on state policies.
The 2007 charter contains guidelines with wording that compel all government agencies to abide by them.
The subcommittee also pointed out that the charter has entrusted 74 appointed senators with too much authority despite the fact that they are chosen by a selection panel of just seven people.
The 74 senators have the authority to impeach the prime minister who is an MP elected via a general election and appointed by His Majesty the King, according to Mr Winai.
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