Thailand gets second blow in democracy campaign

Thailand gets second blow in democracy campaign

BANGKOK (AFP): Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai's government yesterday suffered a second embarrassing setback in its attempt to make Thailand's constitution more democratic when parliament defeated a proposed amendment.

Parliament President Meechai Ruchupan then agreed with an opposition motion to postpone debate on the other seven government amendments and adjourned the joint session.

The setback immediately raised concern about the stability of Chuan's shaky coalition.

On Thursday, the Senate and House joined hands and embarrassed the government over a procedural matter by agreeing to debate the opposition's proposed changes first.

The vote yesterday on the government's first amendment was 189 in favor, two against and 302 abstentions. The measure failed because it did not receive a simple majority of 316 votes.

The legislators Thursday night approved the first reading of the opposition proposal by a vote of 369 for, none against and 194 abstentions.

The amendments are intended to make Thailand's constitution more democratic. The current charter was rammed through by the military junta that seized power in February 1991.

Key military leaders including Defense Minister Vijit Sookmark and army commander Gen. Wimol Wongwanich voted for the opposition draft.

Even though the die appeared cast, the government went ahead with debate Friday on its first proposal.

Thailand's current constitution was rammed through by the military junta that seized power in February 1991.

A first set of amendments, adopted after an anti-military demonstration in May 1992, required the premier to be a House member and curbed the Senate's power.

Chuan's government, elected in September 1992, initially proposed 25 additional charter changes. After consultation with opposition politicians, they reduced this to eight amendments.