Krawi emphasizes that the opinion is not a verdict, fearing a repeat of the referendum controversy, while Pheu Thai is divided, worried that directly electing the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) may cause problems.
On 21 Jun 2026, Krawi Prisanantakul, MP for Ang Thong from the Bhumjaithai Party and Government Whip Chair, said in an interview regarding the Senate's Political Development Committee and the opposition's visit to the Constitutional Court president and their opinion that the direct election of CDA members by the public is 100% feasible, but the drafting committee cannot be directly elected. He said that in fact, all political sides want to see the CDA elected directly by the people. The Bhumjaithai Party's draft constitutional amendment had also supported this. However, the Senators and opposition seeking the Court's opinion and obtaining this perspective...
Krawi added that there was a past lesson involving referendums, where opinions were sought from the Constitutional Court stating there should be two referendums, but the Court ruled that three referendums were required. He said that while he agrees it would be good if the public could directly elect the CDA, since this is only an opinion and not a ruling, if everyone follows this approach and later someone challenges it at the Court and the ruling is different—declaring the process invalid—then the entire process would be lost and damaged. He does not want to see efforts proceed only to fail. Having learned from the referendum experience, he believes the best approach is to follow the latest Constitutional Court ruling, which everyone knows states that drafting a new constitution must follow the current constitution's provisions, and Parliament cannot allow the public to directly elect the drafters. Adapting this as a guideline would be better.
Pheu Thai divided, worried that direct election of CDA may cause problems.
Reporters from Pheu Thai Party said that regarding the Senate Political Development Committee and opposition meeting the Constitutional Court president and receiving the opinion that the direct election of CDA members by the public is fully possible, but the drafting committee cannot be directly elected, the party is split into two views. One side agrees with the Constitutional Court president’s opinion, while the other views it as merely a personal opinion of a few judges, not a binding court ruling. They warn that submitting a draft amendment allowing direct election of CDA members risks legal challenges, and if the Court rules otherwise, the effort will be wasted.
Therefore, on the morning of Tuesday 23 Jun 2026, party leaders and executives will discuss and set their direction before the afternoon parliamentary meeting. They will finalize the amendment draft direction for Pheu Thai. The drafting committee has insisted on clear guidance; once established, they will complete the draft and submit it to the House Speaker before the joint parliamentary session scheduled for early July to consider the constitutional amendment draft.