senior political observer Jakrapob Penkair says the constitution is currently more pressing than ever.
According to a renowned political observer, rewriting the constitution should n’t be on the government’s top priority list until all parties and the electorate agree to do so.
” I think it will take time to rewrite the whole charter,” he said. It is a long-term method, but allowing all events and the public to join in the process can begin quickly. Discussing it wo n’t hurt”, said Jakrapob Penkair, a former Prime Minister’s Office minister and red shirt stalwart who returned to Thailand this year after 15 years of self-exile abroad.
The state could easily use state-owned internet to communicate with the people about the good and bad parts of the constitution, he suggests.
A compromise is necessary to ensure the consumer is at ease and can make a unanimous choice, he said, and it should work with all stakeholders to debate the constitutional revision.
In addition to state-run advertising, privately owned press does play a vital role in disseminating the information, in his watch.
In light of the Pheu Thai-led government’s most recent effort to alter parts of the law that dealt with ethical standards for democratic politicians, Mr. Jakrapob made his comment.
Some partnership events, including Bhumjaithai and Ruam Thai Sang Chart, have opposed the program, leading to Pheu Thai having to remove its plan.
Eventually, the opposition Women’s Party decided to put its drive to alter the ethics-related sections on hold also. It stated that it did not want to risk losing velocity for the other more significant constitutional changes it had suggested.
The president’s coming
Beyond the democratic update, Mr. Jakrapob backed the Paetongtarn government’s ability to carry out its mandate if the public approves its performance.
He advised the authorities to focus on short-, medium-, and long-term objectives while maintaining regular communication with the people about its progress and accomplishments.
” For instance, if the government is developing a flood warning program, they need to inform the public when it will be completed. People need to know the timelines for each task the state is undertaking”, he said.
If the group addresses the concerns of the general public, it has a chance of winning the 2027 general election. This will depend on how effectively it presents its goals and policies and makes them understandable for the populace.
He also stated that, drawing on his previous knowledge, he would be happy to work with the government on global issues and cooperation.
About Jakrapob
Mr Jakrapob, known as one of the rulers of the purple shirt action, returned to Thailand on March 28 after a 15-year self-imposed captivity.
He is alleged to have been nearer to Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of Pheu Thai and the father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn.
During the Thaksin leadership from 2003 to 2005, Mr. Jakrapob was appointed to the Prime Minister’s Office as a secretary during the Samak Sundaravej leadership in 2008.
He was charged with violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese-majeste laws, for a conversation he delivered at the Foreign Correspondents ‘ Club of Thailand (FCCT) on Aug 29, 2007. He fled Thailand in 2009 and went into self-imposed captivity.
Public prosecutors dropped the lese-majeste charge in September 2011, but after the 2014 coup, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO ) summoned Mr Jakrapob. He stayed away from home and never came back.
Before entering elections, Mr Jakrapob was a famous political talk show host.
According to analysts, Mr. Jakrapob’s return marks a new social chapter, which could lead to the return of hundreds of political refugees from Thailand who had fled the country in 2014 under the leadership of Prayut Chan-o-cha.