Chalerm: Referendum wrong way to go

News > Local News

Chalerm: Referendum wrong way to go

Published: 18 Dec 2012 at 15.49
Online news: Local News

The proposal to amend the constitution is unlikely to be endorsed by the people in a nationwide public referendum, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said on Tuesday.

Mr Chalerm has previously made known his opposition to holding a public referendum before amending the charter.

He did not attend today's cabinet meeting on this matter. He said he took sick leave.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

dude
Post : 53
Send message

Discussion 6 : 18 Dec 2012 at 23.166
Post this to my Facebook
Ref. discussion #3: "First sensible thing this man has said."
I am not so sure about this. Maybe Chalerm wanted to explain that a referendum was simply NOT needed... But if he said it right (realizing that a referendum would be needed indeed), than I can only say that maturity is a nice thing for people who are striving for some wisdom...
Like dislike 4 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
DONHUAN
Post : 333
Send message

Discussion 5 : 18 Dec 2012 at 18.375
Post this to my Facebook
A public referendum on amending the charter that requires half of the eligible voters should be more convincing than half of the voters’ turn-out since referendum is supposed to encompass as many people as possible. Since the government is so keen to change the charter, may as well phrase the referendum as: Those who oppose amending the charter must register their disapproval, otherwise such non actions will be deemed as implicit approval. Once the referendum has been “approved”, the PT lawyers can always twist the logic that the “unelected” Constitution Court cannot over rule many millions of voters.
Like dislike 6 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
bkposter
Post : 1,309
Send message

Discussion 4 : 18 Dec 2012 at 18.364
Post this to my Facebook
Mr Chalerm said the constitution requires more than one half of all eligible voters throughout the country, or about 23 million votes.....If I am not mistaken, the original referendum for this constitution did not meet that standard, it only received the majority of those that voted.
Like dislike 3 people liked / 8 people disliked this comment
lek
Post : 779
Send message

Discussion 3 : 18 Dec 2012 at 18.003
Post this to my Facebook
First sensible thing this man has said.
Like dislike 14 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
Bangon
Post : 227
Send message

Discussion 2 : 18 Dec 2012 at 17.142
Post this to my Facebook
The Constitution is the soil wherein the Democracy tree grows its roots... What happens to a tree when the ground it's growing in is changed every proverbial fortnight? It dies! Most (true) Democracies have the same Constitution for century/ies, only making minor adaptations to follow the spirit of the time. King Rama V knew what He did when he had a good Constitution written with the help of (pharang) experts. Alas, since the late 90's it are all apprentice magicians of different plumage, all with a biased agenda of their own, trying to tamper with it! Thailand I cry for you.
Like dislike 27 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
onlyme
Post : 406
Send message

Discussion 1 : 18 Dec 2012 at 16.581
Post this to my Facebook
Wisely stated by K.Chalerm but shouldn't the requirements be interpreted by the Constitutional Court before any actions are taken?
Like dislike 20 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment

Chalerm: Referendum wrong way to go | Bangkok Post: news