Thai Cabinet nods for referendum on new Constitution

BANGKOK, June 3 (TNA) - The Cabinet has resolved that Thailand's new Constitution be subject to a referendum, expected to be clearly planned by next January. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam told journalists that the Cabinet reached the resolution at its weekly meeting on June 2, as demanded by many parties. Dr. Wissanu noted that the Thai government will plan four possible actions to be taken after the referendum, no matter whether the draft Constitution wins the majority of voters' approval or not. Meanwhile, National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Vice President Surachai Liengboonlertchai told a NLA seminar, organized in Bangkok on Wednesday, that a good Constitution must balance the power of the executive, the judiciary and the legislature to prevent national conflicts and must emphasize public participation in politics. Pokin Polakul, a key figure of the Pheu Thai Party, expressed his views that the new Constitution must lead to national reconciliation, clear and comprehensive reform and continual solutions. Jurin Laksanavisit, an executive member of the Democrat Party, said that he disagrees with an end of people's rights to sue government agencies, mixed proportional representation of MPs and the makeup of the Thai Senate. (TNA)