Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn has urged anti-government demonstrators to demand sweeping reforms of politicians, instead of sweeping reforms of the Monarchy, claiming that politicians are the main culprits and are responsible for all the ills which have befallen Thailand, not the Monarchy or Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha.
Taking to the floor on the first day of the general debate, intended to allow all MPs and Senators to discuss solutions to the current problems, Somchai said that the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut, as demanded by the protesters, would not solve anything, nor would the dissolution of the Parliament.
One of the right approaches to resolving the current political crisis, said the Senator, is to amend the Constitution by parliamentary means, adding that demanding sweeping reforms of the Monarchy is excessive.
“The Prime Minister should not step down, but should speed up other pending reforms,” said Somchai, as he offered nine recommendations to Parliament to address the country’s pressing problems.
He also suggested that the Government opens a public forum, wherein students can express their opinions, instead of taking to the streets.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party Leader Jurin Laksanavisit proposed a seven-party national reconciliation committee, to resolve the current political conflict, and urged Parliament to speed up the constitutional amendment process.
Addressing Parliament, he reconfirmed the party’s support for a democratic system, with the King as the Head of the State, and for Thailand’s three pillars of national unity, namely the Nation, the Religion and the Monarchy.
He said that the Democrat Party had proposed amending Section 256 of the Constitution, for the creation of a Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA), to craft a new charter, while leaving Chapters 1 and 2, about Thailand’s statehood and the Monarchy, intact.
Jurin said the party has submitted its proposal for the setting up of the National Reconciliation Committee to House Speaker Chuan Leekpai.
