Dems persist with charter bill filibuster

Dems persist with charter bill filibuster

Somsak fails in bid to muzzle House debate

The opposition has persisted with its filibustering tactics during the charter amendment debate, with Friday's House session again failing to cover more than a single section of the bill.

The joint sitting of parliament spent the entire day debating Section 4 of the 13-section charter amendment bill.

Democrat Party members and some groups of senators have actively sought to delay proceedings by reserving their right to debate each section of the bill.

Five days have now been spent discussing the second reading of the charter amendments, but only four sections have been passed. The debate on Section 3 alone lasted three days.

The charter amendments would require all 200 senators to be elected - rather than the current system whereby half are appointed - as of March next year, when current elected senators' terms will expire.

The amendments would also allow senators to serve consecutive terms, which the current charter prohibits.

Yesterday's debate was dogged by dispute from the outset when Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont sparked outrage by barring Democrat MPs from discussing anything that involved the appointment of senators.

Mr Somsak claimed that since Section 3 of the amendment bill, which deals with the election of senators, had already been passed, debate on Section 4 - which would revoke Sections 113 and 114 of the current charter dealing with the senatorial appointment committee - unnecessary. Mr Somsak's decision was supported by Pheu Thai MPs, who proposed that Section 4 should be put to an immediate vote.

The Democrat MPs and appointed senators protested against Mr Somsak's decision on the grounds that the charter review should not be rushed.

Chief opposition whip Jurin Laksanavisit told parliament the charter amendments were being made in haste.

He noted that the ad-hoc committee vetting the amendments had failed to propose any changes to Section 240 of the current charter which deals with the appointment of senators. Leaving that section in its current form would conflict directly with the government's proposed amendments, he said.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva asked Mr Somsak to reconsider his move to suppress debate. He said if Mr Somsak was concerned the debate would take too long, he should ask the respective whips to work something out.

Mr Somsak then ordered a 30-minute break and asked the Senate, government and opposition whips to reach an agreement.

He eventually relented, however, and allowed the Democrats and appointed senators to debate Section 4.

Appointed Senator Paiboon Nititawan proposed the removal of Section 4 from the amendment bill.

He said electing all senators would undermine the Senate's checks-and-balances function.

"Having senators elected just like MPs is unconstitutional. This issue will go to the charter court," he said.

He also suggested that the charter amendment should be put up for a public referendum.

Parliament eventually passed Section 4 last night by a vote of 322 to 108. The debate will continue on Wednesday.

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