More

Thai prime minister's party seeks charter change

stumbleupon: Thai prime minister's party seeks charter change   digg: US Works With Sudan Government Suspected Of Aiding Genocide   reddit: Thai prime minister's party seeks charter change   del.icio.us: Thai prime minister's party seeks charter change

February 9, 2012 04:45 AM EST | AP


BANGKOK — Thailand's ruling party has proposed a controversial plan to amend the country's constitution, which was drafted after a 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin Shinawatra from power.

It contains a clause that led to the dissolution of two pro-Thaksin parties.

The Pheu Thai party headed by Thaksin's sister says the constitution is "undemocratic" because it was drafted by a military-appointed committee.

The plan submitted Thursday to Parliament calls for the creation of a constitution-drafting assembly of 99 people that would have 180 days to rewrite the charter before submitting it to a national referendum.

A similar move by a pro-Thaksin government in 2008 sparked street rallies that culminated with protesters shutting Bangkok's two airports for a week.