Coalition parties unified on charter change

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Coalition parties unified on charter change

Published: 10 Dec 2012 at 16.08
Online news: Politics

BANGKOK - The four coalition political parties on Monday resolved that the constitution must be amended because the current charter is "undemocratic".

The Pheu Thai, Chartthaipattana, Palang Chon and Chart Pattana parties issued a joint statement on Monday at the parliament denouncing the 2007 charter as a product of the Sept 19, 2006 coup. They claimed that the voters were forced to approve it in a national referendum.

Photo by Thiti Wannamontha

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spiceman
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Discussion 26 : 12 Dec 2012 at 06.3126
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Khun Facts_only #25, sure, we can have a national referendum with a simple majority, and if the (simple) majority of the people in 57 provinces or more in Thailand vote for the amendment, it will become the Law of the Land. It's as simple as that! Happy now?
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facts_only
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Discussion 25 : 11 Dec 2012 at 22.4325
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spiceman 24 - 2/3rds is 66.7%. As for ratification in the US, it requires 3/4 of states (most states require 51% simple majority), not 3/4 of the population.
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spiceman
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Discussion 24 : 11 Dec 2012 at 08.1824
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Khun Fact_only #21, what made you think that a public opinion poll can replace a vote in the House of Representatives? So, why doesn't the majority call for a vote whether to amend the Constitution? And if at least 75% of all the representatives representing the people from all over the country agree with the proposed amendment, go for it. Otherwise, don't even think about it, OK?
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spiceman
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Discussion 23 : 11 Dec 2012 at 08.0623
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Khun Fact_only #21, it takes at least 38 out of all 50 states just to convene a Constitutional Convention. The point is the Constitutional Framers purposely made it extremely difficult to amend the US Constitution, requiring a 3/4 supermajority, instead of a simple (1/2) majority. Do you know why?
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Eric
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Discussion 22 : 11 Dec 2012 at 07.2522
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Crunchy dis#14, your argument is wrong. If you want to go back, then go back further in Thailand history and count how many change if governments were due to coups. Look who are the establishment behind the coups and you will find a constant which is the elites who will do every thing to maintain their power and influence. Taksin is not the only corrupted PM and could have survived but not for the self serving agenda of the elites. The only different this time is that this ex PM fights back and hard.
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facts_only
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Discussion 21 : 11 Dec 2012 at 07.0721
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spiceman 18, "In the US, it takes 3/4 supermajority to change the US Constitution"
The supermajority in the US is 2/3rds to propose, and again 2/3rds to pass an amendment in both houses. After the amendment is passed, it must then be 'ratified' by 3/4 of all US states. According to the most recent Suan Dusit poll (Dec 4-7, 2012), only 18.66% were against changing the constitution: http://www.bangkokpost.com/lite/breakingnews/325185/poll-charter-change-could-spark-unrest
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brilliant
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Discussion 20 : 11 Dec 2012 at 06.0620
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ricefield - " The Democrats for some treason oppose their own model. The aim of the change is to be more fair to all parties and groups. "

You are so full of hogwash sometimes. The Democrats, or PAD, or whom ever you want to accuse, don't object to the model, they object to the specific changes PTP wants which will whitewash Thaksin forever of any crimes. And they can change one specific law, but there are multiple other cases waiting for Thaksin where no law was changed(as you say. That's why PTP wants a blanket amnesty for Thaksin.
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brilliant
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Discussion 19 : 11 Dec 2012 at 05.5719
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"The charter must promote and protect citizens' rights. The people must be able to participate in administering and monitoring the government. To streamline the political structure to be more efficient. "

I assuming that the word citizens' is a typo and Thaksin was meant to be inserted there. Funny, when the court previously suggested to PTP that they involve the people and have a referendum, PTP poopooed all over that idea.
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spiceman
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Discussion 18 : 11 Dec 2012 at 03.2518
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In the US, it takes 3/4 supermajority to change the US Constitution, meaning that at least 1/2 of the opposition must agree with the change. The logic behind it is that 1/4 of the population would be too weak to start a civil war. Currently, Thailand is evenly divided politically, therefore, unless PTP can convince at least 1/2 of the opposition to agree with them, the proposed Constitutional change is a bad and dangerous idea.
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facts_only
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Discussion 17 : 11 Dec 2012 at 02.4117
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nui 16 - PTP is proposing to amend section 291 (and no other section). The section currently stipulates that the constitution can only be amended by MP vote in Parliament (without referendum). PTP MPs have a majority vote in Parliament. The proposed amendment will allow for a second option: a national drafting assembly followed (and maybe preceded) by a referendum.
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Coalition parties unified on charter change | Bangkok Post: news