Abhisit: Charter change with care

Dec 22, 2011
Bangkok Post

The constitution can be amended so long as it does not create new conflict, former prime minister and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday.

"If the changes improve the system then there wouldn't be a problem, but I disagree with the amnesty plan as it could create more conflict in the country.

"We'll also have to look into the setting-up of a new constitution drafting assembly," Mr Abhisit said.

Former prime minister and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

The CDA in 1997 was set up through an election process and there were also experts checking the draft charter. The 2007 constitution went to a public referendum, he said.

The amendments must not focus on one specific section, he said.

Amending the charter was not urgent, because the government must give priority to helping people affected by the flood. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra must be able to prioritise tasks, the Democrat Party leader said.

Asked about the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee meeting yesterday in Phnom Pehn, Mr Abhisit said the government must tell Cambodia to respect the memorandum of understanding covering the boundary issue signed between the two countries in 2000.

The government must also tell Cambodia to withdraw its troops from the disputed area and set a clear role for third party observers, he said.

"We should not let a third party observe the border situation during the withdrawal of troops and when Cambodia is violating the 2000 MoU, because it might cause a misunderstanding in the global community and could affect the verdict of the International Court of Justice early next year," Mr Abhisit said.

The government must pay more attention to the Thai-Cambodian issue and should not be preoccupied with the good bilateral relations and investment in oil and gas, he added.