| Banharn Silpa-acha has lended his support for an effort to amend the constitution in ''timely, thoughtful'' fashion. The former premier said on Tuesday constitution amendment bids might be a time-consuming process in which all bones of contention should be taken into account scrupulously.
''Constitution amendment is no urgent issue. But some people talk about it as though it were a matter of life and death. The constitution may be amended for the better and the optimum interests of the public. But we should wait for the right time to do it,'' said Mr Banharn without telling how soon it might get started.
Mr Banharn, the de facto head of the Chat Thai Pattana Party, agreed with Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung who earlier suggested an ad hoc committee in charge of revising the charter be set up and consist of 99 persons. Of that number, 77 persons should come from each of the country's 77 provinces and 22 others be picked from among academic, respected persons.
The ex-premier declined to comment whether the constitution of 2007 might be amended to be for the most part similar and comparable to the constitution of 1997, abolished by the military junta who staged 2006's coup.
During his one-year premiership, Mr Banharn had been reportedly instrumental to the concerted moves which turned a previous constitution into the 1997 charter. Produced by VoiceTV |
