Referendum must start in parliament: Nikorn

The cabinet has no authority to initiate a constitutional referendum without a request from parliament, Nikorn Chamnong, former secretary of the parliamentary committee on referendum procedures, said yesterday.

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH

He said the cabinet cannot unilaterally frame the first referendum question on whether Thailand should have a new constitution, adding that Constitutional Court ruling No. 18/2025 makes clear that only parliament can instruct the government to organise a constitutional referendum.

Mr Nikorn was responding to suggestions the cabinet should speed up the process by independently setting the first question — “Do you agree that a new constitution should be drafted?” — to avoid delays. Such action, he said, would be unlawful and must await a parliamentary resolution.