Bhumjaithai abstains from House vote on referendum bill

The Bhumjaithai Party refrained from participating in a House vote rejecting the Senate’s decision to maintain the double-majority clause in the constitutional referendum bill, according to party leader Anutin Charnvirakul.

The House of Representatives voted 348 to zero yesterday, October 10, to reject the Senate’s amendments to the referendum bill, with 65 abstentions.

The original House-endorsed bill proposed a change to simplify the passing of referendums. It required only a simple majority—50% of those casting votes—to approve a result.

However, the Senate reinstated the original double-majority requirement, stipulating that at least half of eligible voters must cast votes, and the result must be supported by at least half of the voter turnout.

When the bill returned to the House, Bhumjaithai’s abstention led some to speculate that the party was opposing the government’s consensus to eliminate the double-majority requirement.

Before yesterday’s vote, the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the main opposition People’s Party reaffirmed the Lower House’s decision to adopt the simple majority rule, citing concerns that the double-majority rule could delay a constitutional rewrite.

Anutin, who also serves as deputy prime minister and interior minister, asserted that Bhumjaithai’s abstention was meant to ensure thorough consideration of the bill.

“It all has to do with ensuring referendums are credible and worthy of voters’ trust.”

He emphasised that Bhumjaithai was open to input from the Senate and other stakeholders but insisted that improvements to the referendum process should be approached with caution.

“A referendum is a critical issue, and it is crucial for setting the country’s direction. It shouldn’t be rushed.”

Joint committee

Following yesterday’s House vote, a joint MP-Senator committee will be established to reconcile the differences in the bill.

The 28-member panel will be evenly divided between the two Houses, and the Senate is expected to appoint its committee members by October 15.

During the debate preceding the vote, People’s Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu expressed concern that the double-majority rule could mislead voters.

He argued that voters seeking to defeat a referendum could abstain from voting, causing the double-majority requirement to fail.

“This is not about increasing the ease of passing a referendum. But the rules should not permit one side to gain undue advantage by campaigning for a referendum no-show.”

Conversely, Bhumjaithai MP Mallika Jirapan from Lopburi defended the double-majority rule approved by the Senate, noting its similarity to the version proposed by Bhumjaithai.

The new Senate, largely composed of senators believed to have ties to Bhumjaithai, includes a record 14 senators from Buriram, the party’s stronghold, and numerous others from provinces where Bhumjaithai has a significant representation in the Lower House.

The blue bloc, a term referring to Bhumjaithai, is said to include at least 150 of the 200 senators, reported Bangkok Post.