Thai Parliament Votes on Constitutional Reform
Amid intensifying protests, Thailand’s parliament passed two constitutional reforms on Wednesday. (WikiCommons)
Thailand’s parliament voted to advance constitutional reforms on November 18 after weeks of protests. Seven potential proposals were laid out in front of Parliament, but the two that were passed allow only for more discussion about reform. Notably, the Thai parliament did not support monarchical reform, which is one of the demands most emphasized by protestors. Outrage over the rejection of the other proposals and police violence against demonstrators have amplified protests, culminating in the defacing of the Royal Thai Police headquarters on Wednesday night.
The government, opposition parties, and public had all brought forth the potential motions voted upon in parliament, including proposals to reform the power of the Senate, which is appointed entirely by the Thai military and still plays a role in electing the prime minister. This gives the army outsized importance in the Thai governmental system. Current prime minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, whom protestors wish to remove from office, is backed by the military.
The seventh motion, proposed by an NGO named “Internet Dialogue on Law Reform” (iLaw), is the most popular among the young pro-democracy protesters. It would allow for the writing of a new Thai constitution that the monarchy would also have to abide by. It failed by a wide margin: 212 votes out of 732 total members.
The evening of November 17 saw the most violent protests since July, with at least 40 people injured. Protesters trying to cut through razor-wire barricades surrounding the parliament building threw paint bags and smoke bombs at police officers, who then retaliated with water cannons and liquids laced with tear gas. Some people used giant inflatable rubber ducks to shield themselves from the jets of water.
At least two protestors were also shot with live rounds, and it is unsure yet whether others were injured by rubber bullets or more live rounds. However, the Thai police deny using any sort of bullets. Police spokesperson Major General Piya Tawichai said, “We didn’t apply measures deemed unnecessary [...] Rubber bullets were not used during our operation last night. And live ammunitions were certainly not used during our operation.”
Protests intensified through Wednesday as well. Demonstrators threw paint and sprayed graffiti on the Royal Thai Police headquarters. Others painted anti-monarchy slogans on walls. The pedestal for a picture of Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit was also defaced. While the graffiti had been painted over by Thursday morning, protestors promised to return.
Demonstrators have been protesting in Thailand for over five months. Other than democratic reforms, their demands include greater protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and women, as well as educational reform. They also voice concerns over the mysterious disappearance of Thai monarchical critics in the recent past.
While they have succeeded in breaking the taboo of publicly discussing or criticizing the monarchy among a larger section of society, this has not translated into real governmental action. Thailand possesses some of the world’s strictest lese-majeste laws, and protesters risk heavy punishment by publicly defying the monarchy’s authority. The current King Vajiralongkorn is not as well-liked by the public as his father was; he is known as a “playboy” and spends most of his time in Germany.
The leaders of this movement have scheduled further protests for Saturday and next Wednesday. In addition, a drafting committee for discussions of constitutional reform is planned to begin operations soon. While Amnesty International has called for the release of peaceful protesters from prison, other countries have not involved themselves in this conflict.