Bangkok: The Bhumjaithai Party is gearing up to submit an urgent motion to Parliament with the aim of discussing and considering the submission of a referendum question. This initiative is part of their efforts to amend the country's rules, with the timeline for these amendments now unveiled.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Paradorn Prisnanantakul, who serves as a Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and is an MP for Ang Thong Province from the Bhumjaithai Party, made an announcement after a party meeting. The focus was on the upcoming extraordinary joint session of Parliament scheduled for December 10-11, where the draft constitutional amendment will be considered in its second reading. The Cabinet has previously discussed the referendum question, but consultations with the Council of State revealed that the Cabinet cannot independently formulate a referendum question on the constitution at this stage. This limitation stems from a Constitutional Court ruling that mandates constitutional amendments to originate from Parliament. As a result, the Bhumjaithai Party resolved to propose an urgent motion to Parliament to have the Speaker include this matter on the agenda. Once the second reading of the draft constitutional amendment is concluded, the motion will be revisited. Parliament w ill then pass a resolution to forward the first referendum question to the Cabinet, which will subsequently submit it to the Election Commission (EC).
The timeline outlined by Mr. Paradorn indicates that if the draft constitution's consideration is not finalized by December 11, it will be shifted to December 12. Following the completion of the second reading vote, the motion to send the first referendum question to the government will be addressed. This question will seek public approval for a new constitution. In accordance with the constitution, a 15-day waiting period must be observed before the third reading vote, which is anticipated around December 29. However, given the proximity to the New Year's holiday, discussions will be held to decide whether to include this date. If not, the consideration will occur after the New Year, between January 6-9, 2026. Post the third reading vote, the Speaker of Parliament will need to send the second referendum question to the Cabinet. This second question pertains to the amended Article 256(9) of the Constitution, necessitating a referendum regarding its amendment.
Mr. Paradorn also addressed concerns about potential delays in the constitutional amendment process if Parliament were to be dissolved beforehand. He clarified that a parliamentary dissolution prior to the third reading vote would halt the process. Similarly, if dissolution occurs before the Cabinet's referendum decision, neither the first nor the second question could proceed, as these depend on the Cabinet's decisions.