Thai parliament rejects constitutional amendment bill

Bangkok (VNA) – A constitutional amendment bill was rejected by the parliament of Thailand on late March 17 in its third and final reading, failing to get the support of a majority of parliament members and at least one-third of senators as the constitution required, local medica reported.

The bill received votes of support from 206 House representatives and two of the 250 senators, while half of the current joint parliament is 367 (there are by-elections pending for vacant seats).

Four senators voted against the bill while 10 representatives and 84 senators abstained. Nine representatives and 127 senators chose "no vote".

The constitution requires a constitutional bill to have the approval of at least one-third, 84, of the senate.

On March 17 night, House Speaker Chuan Leekpai ordered the parliament to go ahead with a vote on whether to pass the bill after an 11-hour debate. The move came after members of parliament and senators voted 473:127 in favour of a motion put by deputy leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party Paiboon Nititawan that parliament follow its agenda and vote./.