Anutin led the Bhumjaithai MPs to submit a constitutional amendment draft, affirming it follows the people's will. He refuted accusations of insincerity in amending the constitution and left it to Parliament to decide the direction of drafting new rules. He also indicated readiness to support amendment drafts from all parties if their goals align.
On 20 May 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at the Parliament, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, as leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, led the party's MPs to submit a draft constitutional amendment. The draft proposes amending Section 256 and adding Chapter 15/1 on drafting a new constitution to Sopon Sarum, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Parliament. After receiving the draft, Sopon said it would be scheduled for parliamentary consideration according to procedures. He added that whether other parties submit additional drafts depends on them, but since Bhumjaithai is the main party submitting, their draft will be scheduled for parliamentary review in due course.
Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, as Bhumjaithai Party leader, thanked the Speaker for taking the time to receive their constitutional amendment draft to be scheduled for parliamentary agenda in accordance with the constitution. The party's draft aligns with the people's will, as evidenced by the referendum where citizens unanimously expressed desire to amend certain constitutional sections. Bhumjaithai is responding to the people's wishes as a party of the people and is the first to submit an amendment draft for parliamentary process. He emphasized the party's intention and sincerity, countering earlier accusations that they ignored the people's voice or were insincere in making the constitution more democratic. Today, they clearly demonstrate these accusations are unfounded; they came to Parliament because the people told them to, not due to distortions alleging insincerity.
When asked if he was confident the Bhumjaithai draft would gain approval from the Senate, Anutin replied that they had submitted the draft to the Parliament Speaker to be scheduled for parliamentary agenda for both houses to consider. Both houses will determine the direction of constitutional amendment. Regarding whether Bhumjaithai would join in supporting the People's Party's draft to be submitted later, he said they need to see that draft first as it has not yet been seen. When asked why Bhumjaithai submitted the draft as a political party rather than the Cabinet, Anutin said that Bhumjaithai is a political party that listens first to the people. The government comes from political parties, and political parties come from the people. They are following the correct procedure and acting properly.
When asked if he had discussed with the Pheu Thai Party whether their constitutional amendment drafts share the same direction, Anutin said they had not discussed details but had preliminary talks. Every party can submit proposals; they will look for common goals that benefit the country and people and are ready to support, not only coalition parties. When asked whether Bhumjaithai would accept proposals from other parties calling for indirect election of the Constituent Assembly members, he said they would consider that later, as everything must come from parliamentary consensus. When asked if he was worried the constitutional amendment might be used as political bargaining, Anutin said they are doing their best and are confident all Bhumjaithai members sincerely want a constitution that benefits the country and people, supporting democratic governance under a constitutional monarchy. When asked if he was confident this government would amend the constitution and whether he worried the amendment might be used as political leverage, Anutin replied that being here shows their seriousness and sincerity.
