Charter change hits a hurdle

       The opposition Puea Thai Party is withdrawing its support for proposed charter amendments even as its staunchest critic, the People's Alliance for Democracy, is calling for a rally to block the planned changes.
       Puea Thai MP Chalerm Yubamrung y esterday said the party had changed its mind and would not join the coalition government and the Senate in supporting the six amendments proposed by a special committee on national reconciliation and charter amendments.
       Mr Chalerm said the party also dis-
       agreed with any plan to hold a public referendum on the charter changes.It also would do all it could to have the 1997 constitution reinstated.
       The abrupt about-face could upset a meeting today of government, opposition and senate whips called to decide whether to proceed with the amendments.
       Mr Chalerm said the Democrat Party had a hidden agenda and wanted to use the issue to prolong its stay in office.
       "We don't trust the Democrat Party and will do everything we can to bring back the 1997 constitution," he said.
       Puea Thai's about-face came after ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra telephoned to address party members on Tuesday. He also opposed calls to hold a referendum to decide on the charter change proposals.
       Mr Chalerm admitted Thaksin's suggestions influenced the party's position."He gave us advice and asked us if we should spend 2 billion baht [on holding a referendum]. We are not hiding this," he said.
       The whips from the government,the opposition and the Senate organised a series of talks which concluded with a plan to amend six points in the constitution.
       The Democrat Party was keen on calling a referendum to hear the public's view on the proposed changes while Puea Thai opposed it.
       Mr Chalerm said his party would campaign for a reinstatement of the 1997 constitution and an amnesty for Thaksin.
       Puea Thai MP for Chiang Mai Surapong Towichakchaikul said Thaksin was predicting the downfall of the Democrat Party and the constitution amendments over the next few months.
       The fugitive former prime minister also encouraged party members to prepare for an election, he said.
       Puea Thai MP and opposition whip Prakiat Nasimma said he would attend today's meeting of the whips as an observer only.
       "I will be there, but just to listen,"Mr Prakiat said."I'll give no opinions and won't sign a petition on constitution amendments."
       Government chief whip Chinnaworn Bunyakiat said the Puea Thai Party owed the public an explanation for its about-face. The constitution amendments were initiated for the sake of national reconciliation.
       "We will decide today if the amendments will be a go," he said.
       Senator Witthaya Innala said Puea Thai's about-face on the amendment bid was a political game.
       "Their withdrawal will undermine attempts at reform," he said.
       "The House needs 311 votes to pass the draft amendments and that is not easy without the opposition's support," the senator said.
       The PAD, which yesterday marked the first anniversary of the Oct 7 police crackdown on PAD street protests against the Somchai Wongsawat government at parliament, announced it would hold a mass rally against the constitution amendments.
       However, PAD leaders Sondhi Limthongkul, Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Pibhop Dhongchai, Somsak Kosaisuk and Somkiat Pongpaiboon asked for a consensus from PAD supporters to back a rally.