Thai Cabinet passes new laws

Thai Cabinet passes new laws

BANGKOK (AP): Thailand's Cabinet approved three laws crucial to implementing articles dealing with elections, corruption and human rights in its most recent constitution, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.

The laws will now be submitted to Parliament for passage. Democracy activists have been critical of Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's government for allegedly moving slowly in drafting and approving the laws.

The constitution was passed in September 1997, and the supplementary, or organic, laws must be passed within two years of its promulgation. The new constitution was designed to increase human rights and reduce corruption.

The three laws approved by the Cabinet create a national human rights commission, limits ministers to owning a maximum of 5 percent of shares in companies and penalizes citizens who do not vote.