Democrats Submit 6 Bills Back to Parliament After Cabinet Rejection; Prepare Constitutional Amendment Article 256 for Next Week

At 9:30 a.m. on May 20, 2025, at parliament, Democrat Party list MP and deputy party leader Priset Wattrasindhu announced that the party would resubmit six bills for parliamentary consideration that were carried over from the previous session. Last week, the cabinet failed to endorse them, causing all six bills to stall. These include the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Act, the Factory Act, the Labor Protection Act, the Forest Reclamation Amnesty Act, the Military Court Charter, and a constitutional amendment to Article 256 adding Section 15/1 regarding the drafting of a new constitution.

Wattrasindhu explained that the government's justification was unconvincing, prompting the Democrats to reaffirm their intention to resubmit these bills for parliamentary reconsideration. Most bills will be resubmitted unchanged, though some may receive minor content revisions. The six bills cover economic, social, and political areas, with several public-drafted bills having completed the public consultation process. The party hopes that next week's three-day parliamentary session will include a day specifically for considering Democrat bills, not just cabinet bills—a commitment previously made by the parliamentary speaker.

When asked if the Democrats have finalized the constitutional amendment, Wattrasindhu stated that despite disagreements, the party maintains that opening a nominating assembly for constitutional drafters allows public participation in their selection. The party believes the Constitutional Court's ruling contradicts democratic principles and conflicts with the court's own previous decision prohibiting direct parliamentary selection of drafters. The assembly mechanism ensures the new constitution aligns with public needs and can be structured for single-reading parliamentary consideration.

Details will be submitted within the next week. Regarding Senate conditions, Wattrasindhu denied any intent to grant the Senate additional powers, stating the party treats both chambers equally. Previously, only half of parliament's members were required. When asked if the timeline set by the Pheu Thai Party pressures other parties to expedite submissions, Wattrasindhu clarified that submission is merely the first step, with the draft expected to be ready within the next week. Timeline frameworks are parliament's responsibility, requiring scheduled meetings.

Asked about confidence in Senate support in first reading, Wattrasindhu said this depends on parliamentary deliberation. He noted that if senators recall the Democrats' 2024 draft's content, it aligns with stated principles, giving no reason for the Senate to vote differently than before.