Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday threw his support behind the government’s plan to amend Thailand’s army-backed Constitution.
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) and its five coalition partners are considering a series of changes to the Constitution, which was drafted by a panel installed by the junta that ousted Thaksin in 2006.
The basic law was approved in a referendum last August, but critics say it empowers the military and bureaucracy at the expense of elected leaders.
Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej wants to remove a clause that allows the disbanding of political parties convicted of vote fraud, saying the provision undermines the government’s stability.
Under the law, if a senior member of a party is found guilty of electoral crimes, the party can be disbanded if that person is found to have acted on its behalf
Thaksin said the proposed amendments would make the Constitution more democratic.
“Democracy is the best system, and the best thing to do is make [the Constitution] more democratic,” he told reporters before flying to Cambodia, where he was set to play golf with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
“Politicians absolutely must work for the public. They cannot work for their personal gain,” he said.
Two of Samak’s most important coalition partners face dissolution over vote fraud charges currently before the court.
The PPP could also find itself threatened with a similar fate pending the outcome of a separate case against the speaker of parliament Yongyut Tiyapairat.
Thaksin’s own Thai Rak Thai (Thai Love Thai) party was dissolved last May by the military-appointed Constitutional Tribunal.
The PPP’s drive to amend the basic law has generated fierce debate, which has led to fears of a new coup against Thaksin’s allies who now run the country.
But Thaksin said he was optimistic the country would not suffer another putsch.
“Please don’t even think about it. We would rather have everyone help brainstorm how to build our future and improve the lives of the next generation,” he said when asked about the coup rumors.
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