In Thailand, power first, people later? Senate split as charter change faces scrutiny

BANGKOK: As Parliament meets for a crucial debate on three constitutional amendment bills, deep divisions are surfacing in the Senate — not just over what’s being proposed, but why it’s being done at all, and whether now is the right time.

The planned changes, slated for discussion today (Oct 15), got varied responses and reactions. Some legislators are overtly distrustful, doubting the motivations behind the revisions, while others are guardedly supportive, prompting calls for open-minded discourse. At the core lies one huge question — who truly gains from these modifications — the citizenry or the political leaders?

“Do these changes really help the people?”

Pol Gen Sawat Tasana was blunt in his critique. For him, the debate shouldn’t be about timing but about purpose.

“Before we ask when to amend the constitution, we should ask: Which parts are actually hurting people’s lives?” he told the Bangkok Post. “If the goal is to help citizens, that’s one thing, but if not, why rush?”

Sawat believes Thailand is facing more pressing challenges — like border tensions with Cambodia and ongoing unrest in the South — that deserve priority. He warned that some of the proposed amendments seem less about reform and more about political convenience, such as softening ethics laws or fast-tracking referendums.

“That’s not real reform,” he said. “That’s politics.”

A lack of clarity, a lot of concern

Senator Alongkot Worakee voiced his frustration with the process.

“It’s like we’re being asked to eat a meal without knowing what’s in it,” he said. “We just have to vote yes or no.”

He noted that the proposals don’t seem to come from a groundswell of public demand but rather from political deals made in the past.

“Constitutions shouldn’t be changed just to tick off campaign promises,” he said.

Alongkot pointed out that the government’s financial management — particularly the trillions of baht sitting in Soft Power funds and off-budget agencies — should be a more immediate concern than changing the constitution, and as for claims that the Senate is being swayed by political factions, he pushed back:

“When 170 senators vote the same way, it’s not about colour or party. It’s personal judgment.”

“The problem isn’t the Constitution”

Pol Col Kob Atjanakitti was even more direct. For him, changing the constitution won’t solve Thailand’s political problems.

“We don’t need new rules. We need people to follow the ones we already have,” he said.

He warned that pushing through amendments now could widen political divides, not heal them, and like others, he dismissed claims of Senate bias.

“There are no colours in the Senate,” he said. “The only colour that matters is the nation.”

A more moderate voice steps forward

Not everyone in the Senate is resisting reform. Pisit Apiwattanapong, a spokesman for the Senate Whip Committee, struck a more balanced tone. While acknowledging that none of the drafts are perfect, he said they each have some merit.

“We should hear them out,” he said. “I support accepting all three in principle for a first reading. That’s when the real discussion starts.”

According to Pisit, only one-third of the Senate — about 67 members — needs to back the bills for them to move forward.

“I think that’s achievable,” he added.

What happens next?

As the joint parliamentary session gets underway, all eyes are on whether these proposed constitutional changes will be seen as a step toward genuine reform — or just political manoeuvring dressed up as progress.