Senators want out of whips meeting

The group of 40 senators submitted a letter to Senate Speaker Boondej on Monday calling on the senate whip to withdraw from the joint parliamentary whips' discussion of the plan to amend the constitution.

The senators, led by Surachai Liengboonlertchai and Lt-Gen Kamol Prachuabmoh, said amending the charter would not lead to reconciliation since the opposition had already pulled out of the process.

They also wanted the Office of the Auditor-General to urgently assess the advantages and disadvantages of enforcing the 2007 constitution, particularly the process of appointing some and electing other senators.

The senate speaker said he will consider the 40 senators' demands urgently.

However, the senate whip would have to continue attending the joint whips meeting until the Senate had passed a clear resolution on this issue.