Council opts for charter referendum

       The Council of State has ruled that a referendum be held for the public to decide if the constitution should be amended before any proposed changes go before parliament.
       The ruling was revealed at a meeting of members and executives of the Democrat Party yesterday, a source at the meeting said.
       The source said the Democrats had agreed with the recommendation of the government's legal arm, which is in line with the party's position on the issue of charter amendment.
       Former Democrat leader Banyat Bantadtan, who sits on the party's advisory panel, said holding a referendum to sound out public views on the issue was the right approach.
       Mr Banyat and party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai have made it clear they disagree with any attempt to rewrite the constitution in a way to benefit a limited number of politicians.
       Mr Banyat said any effort to push the draft amendments through a first reading in parliament would mean members of the public would be "tied down" and forced to bow to politicians' demands.
       Party executives and members will meet again next week to review the party's position on the issue. Government chief whip Chinnaworn Bunyakiat will then convey the party's stance to the opposition and senate whips.
       Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the nominal and de facto leaders of the coalition parties met on Sunday at Ban Phitsanulok to try to reach a common position on charter amendments.
       They agreed then that proposed changes to the constitution should pass a first reading in parliament before going before the public in a referendum.
       They also agreed a House committee would be set up to draft a referendum for the public to decide which of the six proposed charter amendment areas should proceed. The amendments were proposed by the joint panel on national reconciliation and constitutional change.
       At the Puea Thai Party's head office,deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra phoned in to address party members yesterday, a party source said.
       Thaksin voiced opposition to the proposal to hold a referendum to decide on the six charter change proposals.
       Thaksin said the six areas had little to do with members of the public.
       He suggested a referendum be held for the public to choose between the abrogated 1997 constitution and the present military coup-sponsored constitution or supporting a bid to rewrite the entire charter.
       The Democrats are also searching for a new PM's secretary-general after Niphon Promphan's resignation.
       The name of Deputy Prime Minister Korbsak Sabhavasu has emerged as a likely replacement for Mr Niphon.
       A cabinet source said Mr Korbsak,who oversees economic affairs, was not liked by the Democrats' partners because of his tendency to keep a close watch on ministers under his supervision.
       If he became PM's secretary-general,the source said, the coalition parties would be happy, but this would mean Mr Korbsak would be downgraded in terms of political importance.
       If Mr Korbsak agreed to move to be PM's secretary-general, a cabinet reshuffle was possible as Mr Abhisit would need to find a new deputy prime minister.
       Mr Abhisit yesterday said it would become clear next week if a cabinet reshuffle would take place as senior Democrat member and list MP Trairong Suwannakhiri had emerged as a favourite to replace Mr Korbsak as deputy prime minister.
       "The cabinet remains unchanged.Things will be clear next week," Mr Abhisit said.
       Mr Abhisit said there would only be a need to reshuffle the cabinet if Mr Korbsak was made his secretary-general.The prime minister admitted a "minor"cabinet reshuffle was being considered.
       The new secretary-general would be named this week, Mr Abhisit confirmed.
       Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban denied speculation he did not support Mr Trairong to become a deputy prime minister.
       Mr Suthep said he was ready to support anyone the prime minister brought into the cabinet."I suppose if I have to make a choice, I will vote for Mr Trairong," Mr Suthep said.
       Industry Ministry and Puea Pandin Party leader Charnchai Chairungruang said Mr Trairong was suited for the job,given his experience as a former cabinet minister handling economic affairs.
       But the final decision would rest with the prime minister, Mr Charnchai said.