referendum

  • Thailand NewsThree referendums required for 2017 constitution rewrite

    Three referendums required for 2017 constitution rewrite

    Three referendums are deemed necessary for a complete rewrite of the 2017 constitution, according to Nikorn Chamnong, the secretary of the joint House-Senate panel on the referendum bill. This statement directly counters the claim made by People’s Party list MP Parit Wacharasindhu, who suggested that only two referendums would be needed, a point he believed was backed by Parliament President…

  • Politics NewsThailand nears referendum compromise with one and a half layer proposal

    Thailand nears referendum compromise with one and a half layer proposal

    A potential compromise is emerging between Thailand’s House of Representatives and the Senate regarding the criteria for a referendum to amend the constitution. Discussions gained momentum yesterday following a meeting of the joint House-Senate committee tasked with reviewing the charter referendum bill. The House advocated for a simple majority of participating voters to approve the government’s constitutional rewrite plan. Conversely,…

  • Thailand NewsPheu Thai seeks easier referendum rules amid legislative clash

    Pheu Thai seeks easier referendum rules amid legislative clash

    The Pheu Thai Party is making moves to amend the constitutional referendum requirements, aiming to ease the passage of such referendums by reducing the size of the majority needed. Prayut Siripanich, a member of the ruling party and deputy chairman of the joint House-Senate committee on the referendum bill, announced that discussions will take place tomorrow, November 5, to address…

  • Politics NewsPheu Thai confident on referendum despite double-majority dispute

    Pheu Thai confident on referendum despite double-majority dispute

    The Pheu Thai Party remains optimistic that the referendum on constitutional amendments will proceed early next year, despite disagreements regarding the double-majority requirement in the referendum bill. Sorawong Thienthong, Pheu Thai Party Secretary-General, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to holding the referendum in early 2025. The initial step involves ensuring that the amended bill successfully passes through Parliament in the coming…

  • Thailand NewsSenate passes referendum bill, simplifies majority requirement

    Senate passes referendum bill, simplifies majority requirement

    The Senate has given initial approval to the referendum bill passed by the House of Representatives, despite significant opposition from some senators. The contentious issue revolves around the bill’s replacement of the referendum’s double majority requirement with a simpler single majority or more than half of the votes cast. At the conclusion of yesterday’s session, the Senate voted 179 to…

  • Thailand NewsReferendum bill set to pass initial House test

    Referendum bill set to pass initial House test

    According to Chart Thai Pattana Party list-MP Nikorn Chamnong, who leads a sub-committee on the charter referendum, the government-sponsored referendum bill will pass its initial test. Nikorn stated the bill, which aims to revise the Referendum Act 2021 as part of the charter rewrite process, is ready for House deliberation following a meeting with opposition whips. Deputy Prime Minister and…

  • Politics NewsPheu Thai people’s charter still unfulfilled seven months in

    Pheu Thai people’s charter still unfulfilled seven months in

    The Pheu Thai Party’s promise to craft a people’s charter that would engage an elected assembly and a public referendum while honouring Thailand’s constitutional monarchy remains unfulfilled after seven months in power. The 2017 charter, considered by some as a leftover from the 2014 coup, has yet to see any amendments. The initial months of the Pheu Thai government were…

  • Thailand NewsCharter change up for a vote: Referendum needed, House speaker

    Charter change up for a vote: Referendum needed, House speaker

    A referendum is required to get voters’ approval before the charter amendment proposals can be considered, according to Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the House Speaker. He was responding to questions about a possible special House session for the first reading of the 2025 fiscal year’s budget bill. He added that it remains undetermined if other significant legislation will be discussed…

  • Thailand NewsMFP supports Pheu Thai’s two charter amendments referendums

    MFP supports Pheu Thai’s two charter amendments referendums

    The Move Forward Party (MFP) backs Pheu Thai‘s proposal for two referendums on charter amendments, promising to reshape Thailand‘s political landscape. Parit Wacharasindhu, an MFP list-MP and the party’s spokesperson, declared on Tuesday, January 23, the MFP’s full-throated endorsement of Pheu Thai’s deputy leader, Chusak Sirinil’s, proposition for just two referendums, stating that it’s a cost-effective and time-efficient approach. Not…

  • Politics NewsThai government committee plans referendum on constitutional amendments

    Thai government committee plans referendum on constitutional amendments

    Two sub-panels have been established by the government committee studying the proposed constitutional amendments in Thailand. Their mandate is to measure public sentiment on the proposed changes and devise a blueprint for a potential referendum. Phumtham Wechayachai, chair of the committee, has stated that while there is no set deadline for these sub-panels, it is anticipated that their tasks will…

  • Politics NewsThai Cabinet approves assembly for constitutional referendum, amid MFP exit

    Thai Cabinet approves assembly for constitutional referendum, amid MFP exit

    The assembly to draft a referendum on revising the constitution is set to convene on Tuesday, following the Cabinet’s recent approval of its 35 members, reveals Chusak Sirinil, a member of the assembly. The assembly, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Phumtham Wechayachai, will deliberate on modifications to the committee after the exit of the…

  • Thailand NewsThai Cabinet approves panel to draft charter amendment referendum

    Thai Cabinet approves panel to draft charter amendment referendum

    The Thai Cabinet greenlighted the formation of a 35-member panel yesterday, tasked with drafting a prospective charter amendment referendum, as disclosed by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Serving as the chair of the committee, Phumtham revealed that the panel will comprise representatives from both the government and opposition parties, as well as legal experts, scholars, social activists,…