Path to a new charter

Thailand stands at a critical moment again.

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Voters and parties are debating how to make amendments to the junta-engineered 2017 constitution to serve real democracy and institutional reform and how to keep political bargaining chips among parties at bay.

With the selection of Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister, public attention has swiftly turned to two key issues: the likely dissolution of Parliament within four months, and the drafting of a new constitution, a pledge Bhumjaithai made in exchange for coalition support from the People’s Party.

The prospect of charter change matters to every citizen, not just particular parties which have made charter change a rallying cry for votes.

In the past week, the Constitutional Court concluded that Parliament has the authority to draft a new constitution, but under strict conditions.