At 10:15 AM on December 23, at the Thai Parliament, Mr. Parit Wacharasindhu, MP and member of the People’s Party, addressed the media ahead of a critical discussion with Mr. Pongthep Thepkanchana, advisor to the Prime Minister, and the parliamentary coordination committee. The meeting aimed to clarify the proposal for conducting two referendums, instead of three, during the drafting of a new constitution.
Mr. Parit emphasized the significance of the meeting, as it could determine the future direction of the constitutional reform. The People’s Party had submitted a draft amendment to establish a Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA). The proposal now hinges on whether two referendums—rather than three as previously suggested by the parliamentary president—would suffice for public approval. Mr. Parit presented additional evidence, including Constitutional Court opinions, academic endorsements, and informal consultations, to support the two-referendum approach.
The current plan suggests conducting the first referendum to approve the formation of the CDA and the second to finalize the new constitution. Proponents argue this approach aligns with judicial rulings and avoids unnecessary delays. Mr. Parit reassured that the timeline of 180 days for legislative review and approval could accommodate the proposed process without disruptions.
In response to concerns from the parliamentary president about the risks of insufficient referendums, Mr. Parit maintained that two referendums are comprehensive and legally compliant. He projected that the drafting process could conclude by mid-2025, aligning with the proposed timeline.
The outcome of this meeting is expected to influence an official parliamentary ruling by the year’s end.