The Senate has found itself divided over a proposal to establish a 200-member Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) to draft a new charter, with senators expressing both support and opposition during the latest parliamentary session.
At parliament on Monday, the Senate, chaired by First Vice President Gen Kriangkrai Srirak, reviewed a study on the 2017 constitution and possible models for a CDA.
The report was prepared by the Senate committee on political development, public participation, human rights, liberties and consumer protection, headed by Sen Noraset Pratchayakorn.
The committee proposed a 200-member CDA through what it called a "two-leg, two-step" process.
Under the first model, voters in all 77 provinces would elect two candidates each, producing 154 names. Candidates ranked third to fifth in each province would then be pooled and ranked nationwide, with the top 46 added to make 200 candidates. If tied, candidates would be chosen by lot.
Those 200 names would then be submitted to parliament, which would vote to narrow the field to 100. Each lawmaker would cast five votes. The top vote-getter in each province would automatically win a seat, accounting for 77 members, while the remaining 23 would be selected from among second- to fifth-ranked candidates with the highest parliamentary vote totals.
The report also outlined a party-list-style option, under which teams of up to 200 candidates would contest a nationwide election. Seats would be allocated proportionally based on voter turnout and vote share, resulting in 200 selected candidates, after which parliament would trim the list to 100.
The committee said constitutional reform should focus on areas of broad social consensus and serve as a foundation for a stable and sustainable democracy, rather than being limited to technical amendments.
However, the proposal drew criticism from some senators.
Sen Ratchaneekorn Thongthip opposed the plan, arguing that parliament itself should continue constitutional amendment efforts because lawmakers already have legitimacy as representatives of the people. She also criticised the cost, saying the process could waste billions of baht.
"Why make it so complicated?" she asked, questioning the need for a separate drafting body.
Sen Thewarit Maneechai, a committee member, said constitutional amendment bills still pending in parliament had not lapsed and could proceed until mid-May, pending confirmation from the incoming government.
Sen Noraset defended the proposal, saying politicians should not write the rules governing themselves, as that would undermine public trust. He also said the three referendums required for constitutional change were mandated by the Constitutional Court.
After the debate, the Senate is expected to compile its views and submit the committee's report to the cabinet for further consideration.
