Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra reiterated today that the government’s current top priority is to address the flood problem, to take care of flood victims and to rehabilitate flood-ravaged communities.
Several northern provinces have been hard hit by floods, particularly in Mae Sai and Mueang districts of Chiang Rai, which recently experienced the worst flooding in about three decades. Although the floodwater has receded, the two districts remain buried in a sea of mud and other debris waiting to be removed.
The prime minister made clear that the suffering and hardships of the people must come first, while amendments to the Constitution can wait to be addressed in parliament.
Asked whether some coalition parties have changed their stance on constitutional amendments, the prime minister appeared to be perturbed, as she asked the reporter to refrain from asking such a divisive question.
She said that all coalition parties concur that the first priority of the government must be to address the floods and economic problems.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said he will call a meeting of coalition parties for a discussion on amending the charter, section by section, next week.
He admitted that he is not sure whether all the coalition parties would agree on the sections to be amended, adding, however, that all of them concur that the provisions regarding ethical standards need to be amended.
