Constitutional Amendment Bill Progress
The House Speaker, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, has indicated that the scrutiny of the constitutional amendment bill during its second reading should be completed by the end of November. This will pave the way for a final vote once the parliamentary session resumes next month. Mr. Wan expressed optimism that the entire process could be concluded before the New Year.
He mentioned that a special parliamentary session might be called to accelerate the amendment process, but this would require two conditions to be met: coordination between the government and parliament, and the completion of work by the ad hoc constitutional amendment committee. However, he voiced concerns that the committee may not finish its deliberations by mid-month as initially hoped. The timeline may instead extend into late this month or early next month.
Mr. Wan warned that if a special session were held, it could face a quorum issue. Some committee members who are MPs are scheduled to travel abroad on official duties. “At the very least, I would like this parliament to complete the third reading of the charter amendment bill so it can proceed to a national referendum during the next general election,” he said.
“The key issue is whether parliament can pass the amendment — that depends on both formal and informal discussions among the committee members,” he added.
Prime Minister’s Dissolution Power
Regarding comments from Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul about dissolving the House if a no-confidence debate is initiated, Mr. Wan stated that the dissolution power rests solely with the prime minister and can be exercised at any time — except after a no-confidence motion has been formally placed on the House agenda.
He explained that even if the opposition submits a motion to the House Speaker, the prime minister still retains the authority to dissolve the House until the motion is listed for debate. “For example, if the motion lacks the required number of MP signatures, it would be considered invalid,” Mr. Wan clarified.
“Personally, I believe that if there is no substantial issue to justify a no-confidence debate, such a move would not carry enough weight,” he added.
Opposition Views on Dissolution
On Wednesday, Rangsiman Rome, a list-MP and deputy leader of the opposition People’s Party, commented on Mr. Anutin’s statement regarding a potential House dissolution. He noted that while such a move is legally permissible, public perception would be another matter.
On Tuesday, Chaturon Chaisang, a Pheu Thai Party list-MP, posted on social media urging the premier not to dissolve the House to avoid a no-confidence debate. He emphasized the opposition’s role is to scrutinize the government — not to seek revenge.
“Committees from various parties are now working to finalise the amendment process as quickly as possible so time remains for a no-confidence debate before dissolution,” Mr. Chaturon said, adding that parties agree on the need to convene a special parliamentary session to expedite the change — a move that can be initiated with the support of a third of all MPs and senators.
Key Considerations in the Process
The current focus remains on the speed and efficiency of the constitutional amendment process. With multiple stakeholders involved, including the government, the opposition, and various parliamentary committees, the success of the amendment hinges on collaborative efforts and timely decisions.
Several factors could influence the outcome, including the availability of key committee members, the validity of any no-confidence motions, and the overall political climate. The House Speaker’s emphasis on completing the third reading of the bill highlights the urgency of the situation.
As the parliamentary session approaches, all eyes will be on how the process unfolds. The potential for a special session and the implications of a no-confidence debate add layers of complexity to an already intricate legislative landscape.