Major parties poles apart on charter amendments

       The second day of a joint parliamentary debate on proposals for national reconciliation, political reform and changes to the Constitution turned into a battle of words yesterday.
       While the Democrats opposed most changes or said a new charter drafting assembly and the public should take part in any changes, Pheu Thai MPs said they had sufferred injustice in society and wanted "problems" fixed. They also claimed the Democrats sought to draw out the charter amendment process.
       Khon Kaen Senator Prasert Prakhumsuksapan, meanwhile, suggested that MPs forgive each other and stop quarrelling.
       He said the debate over charter changes was like a battle between the Democrats and Pheu Thai MPs. The rifts in society would only lead to another coup.
       "It is now a game between Mr Democrat and Mr Pheu Thai competing for power. It will not end. Please don't say politicians are bad or always corrupt, [as] that would cause rifts," he said.
       Democrat MPs such as Pusadee Tamtai, Rangsima Rodrasami and Jehrrming Tohtayong said the proposed charter amendments would not resolve political problems unless the mindset of politicians changed and they began to think of public interest, rather than personal interests.
       Phattalung MP Nipit Intarasonbat said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva never said there would be no changes to the charter, but Parliament needed to study the issue.
       "Now we have the report. But this charter was passed through national referendum. When we want to change it, why wouldn't we ask the public?" he said.
       "If we don't ask the public, there will be no reconciliation."
       Opposition chief whip Wittaya Buranasiri said each of the proposed changes to the Constitution deserved support.Such changes would create justice and fix problems and rifts in society.
       "Many have agreed the laws need to be changed. As part of the Legislative Branch, we [legislators] have legal power. If anyone sees a problem and does not fix it, that's a vicious person, a person without responsibility. I don't want to be that kind of person," he said.