Submission a Petition for Introducing the Law to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 (2017)

Abstract

The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 (2017) requires eligible voters of not less than ten thousand in number may entering their names for introduction a law and persons having the right to vote of not less than fifty thousand in number under the law on the public submission of a bill may entering their names for an amendment of the Constitution. But at this time, the rules and procedures for such submission of a bill shall be implemented in accordance with the Act on Submission a Petition for Introducing the Law, B.E. 2556 where described methods to promote and support for submission, inspection, announcement and objection inconsistent to the provisions of the public submission of a bill, that is not consistent with the current situation.Therefore, in order to exercise the right to submission a petition for Introducing the Law by voters subject to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 (2017), it is for promotion of direct political participation of the people. It is necessary to revise the law on submission a petition for introducing the law and prescribe that the Secretariat of the House of Representatives shall assist the initiator in proposing laws to draft laws, give an academic opinion, conduct consultation with stakeholders, analyze any impacts that may occur from the law thoroughly and systemically, and should also disclose the result of the consultation and analysis to the public in accordance with Section 77 of the Constitution.The Secretariat of the House of Representatives should be the center for collecting and inspecting the names who submit a petition to introduce a bill and also requires the King Prajadhipok’s Institute to support the Secretary of the House of Representatives for initiative process. In addition, the rules of procedure of the House of Representatives and the rules of procedure of the Parliament need to be amend in order to stipulate that the representatives from the name for introduction a law shall be consisted of the ad hoc committee for the law consideration. Where there are several proposals of the same principle for introduction a laws or amendment of the Constitution, the House of Representatives or the National Assembly shall use the draft bill where the public has proposed as a basis for consideration due to the importance of exercising the right to directly public participation in politics.