All parties urged to share ideas on new Thai Charter draft

BANGKOK, November 12 (TNA) - Thailand's Constitution Drafting Committee welcomes representatives of all sectors, including political parties and schools, to share their ideas in the ongoing drafting process of the country's new Constitution. Dr. Borwornsak Uwanno, head of the Constitution Drafting Committee, told journalists on Wednesday that he has written a letter to all political parties and sectors, inviting them to brainstorm their ideas, insisting that even the youth's participation is also welcome. Dr. Borwornsak, a leading Thai legal expert and Secretary-General of King Prajadhipok's Institute, affirmed that his panel is open to all sectors whose opinions and proposals will be considered. Dr. Borwornsak acknowledged that he even invited the Pheu Thai Party, backed by exiled ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his younger sister, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which would reportedly not join. Dr. Borwornsak revealed he was informed that Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has agreed to share ideas to his panel on November 24. According to the Constitution Drafting Committee's chair, he will also allow youths to participate in the ongoing Charter drafting process through a newly-set up sub-committee, as a positive response to an earlier call by the Youth Network for Students, which has proposed, among others, that the minimum age of Thai MPs to be lowered to 18, instead of 25 years as stated in previous Thai Charters. (TNA)