Royalist group rallies to oppose attempt to reform the Thai Monarchy
Royalist supporters wait to catcha glimpse of Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida outside the Grand Palace in Bangkok on November 1, 2020 after a religious ceremony at a Buddhist temple inside the palace. / AFP
A small group of pro-Monarchy demonstrators rallied in front of parliament this morning (Thursday) to oppose any amendment to the Constitution which would affect the Monarchy.
Led by former entertainer-turned political activist, Haruthai Muangboonsri, the group specifically targeted the draft constitutional amendment proposed by the iLaw NGO, which seeks to amend Chapters 1 and 2 of the current charter, regarding Thai sovereignty and the Monarchy, claiming that the NGO is being funded by foreign agencies to undermine the institution.
The group pointed out that all the draft amendments focus on dismantling the Senate except the iLaw’s draft, which also seeks to amend Chapters 1-2 of the Constitution and does not address the basic problems of the people.
Meanwhile, Parliament President Chuan Leekpai said today that parliament will deliberate on the seven draft amendments, including the one proposed by iLaw, on November 17th and 18th as scheduled.
Regarding the motion, by Pracharat party-list MP Paiboon Nititawan, on behalf of a group of senators and Pracharat MPs, seeking a Constitutional Court ruling on the constitutionality of three of the draft charter amendments, Chuan said that the motion will have to wait until after deliberation on all the drafts.
Deputy opposition chief whip Somkid Chuankhong today urged the government to show sincerity toward bids to amend the charter by restraining government MPs from resorting to delaying tactics, such as taking the case to the Constitutional Court.
