On January 7, 2025, the Pheu Thai Party (PTP) convened a meeting of its MPs at the Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai, chaired by key party leaders including Deputy Party Leader Chusak Sirinin, Tourism and Sports Minister Sarawong Thienthong, and MP Chair Wisut Chaiyarun. The meeting focused on advancing an amendment to Article 256 of the Constitution to create a Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) for drafting a new constitution.
Chusak Sirinin explained that the Cabinet agreed each political party could propose its own draft for amending Article 256. This approach circumvents direct Cabinet endorsement due to previous rulings by the Constitutional Court. Chusak reassured MPs that amending the Constitution does not undermine governance but is a lawful parliamentary right, emphasizing that the amendments would exclude Chapters 1 and 2 to avoid legal or political conflicts. Consequently, the PTP MPs agreed to sign the draft proposal and submit it to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha on January 8.
Wisut Chaiyarun outlined the PTP’s proposal for establishing a fully elected CDA to draft the new constitution. Key principles include avoiding amendments to fundamental sections (Chapters 1 and 2) and fostering collaboration with other political factions. Achieving the required support from at least one-third of the Senate (67 votes) remains a challenge. Initial discussions suggest the process may involve two referendums, but specific steps will require further negotiation.
Following the meeting, a New Year’s gathering was held for PTP MPs, attended by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, while Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who did not join the meeting, also participated in the celebration.