Ex-DPM, FM comments on Thailand's new draft Charter

BANGKOK, March 25 (TNA) - Ex-deputy prime minister and foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul has voiced his disagreement with some details of Thailand's new draft Constitution. Surapong pointed out on Wednesday that details of Thailand's new draft Charter about the make-up of the Senate and the House of Representatives and the terms for the election of members of Parliament (MPs) for the Lower House appear to reflect attempts to block big political parties from forming a single-party government. The ex-deputy prime minister made the comments after joining other Pheu Thai Party's leaders, including former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, in signing the book of condolences on the passing away on March 23 of Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok. After the signing, Yingluck told journalists that she extended her condolences to Singapore people and praised the Singapore late founding father for being a great and impressive leader, who had brought prosperity to the island state and had been an example of a good government leader. Yingluck, however, declined to answer questions on the first hearing of the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions against her on a case on her role in her previous administration's loss-ridden rice-pledging scheme on May 19, 2015. Yingluck also had a private talk with Singapore Ambassador to Thailand Chua Siew San during her visit to the Singapore Embassy in Bangkok. (TNA)