Monks, nuns may win right to vote

A LEADING Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) member yesterday proposed that Buddhist monks and nuns be allowed to vote under the new constitution.

Thongbai Thongpao, deputy chairman of the CDA's public relations committee, said monks and nuns should be given the opportunity to vote, a basic constitutional right.

Thongbai said he was inspired after talking with a senior monk, who asked him ''Why have monks been left out of politics, as the laws that govern us are all made through the legislative process?"

He also relayed the monk's opinion that their involvement in the political process could help improve the system, which the monk described as being in a state of ''chronic decay".

Thongbai said he would push for the idea. ''Under the Civil Code, monks and nuns are allowed to receive inheritances or to file lawsuits to acquire them after they leave their priesthoods," he said.

Meanwhile, CDA member Khien Theerawit said the charter writing committee will introduce proposals on academic issues and basic constitutional rights for individuals, the press and the disabled during the CDA's general meeting on Tuesday.

Earlier, the Karaked Group, a political action group comprising of university lecturers, organised a seminar attacking the government for allegedly urging the CDA to write the constitution for their benefit.

Anek Nakhabutr, a leading group member, said the CDA's drafting task ''seems to have been clouded" after the government allegedly attempted to hasten the CDA to complete its task in order to deny public participation.

Kwansuang Atipho, another leading member, said public participation and scrutinisation of any future government project is a mandatory condition to be included in the new constitution.

Saroj Phuegsamlee, a leading activist against a controversial expressway project, called for a constitutional solution to ensure government officials follow public agreements settled with politicians.

Dej Phumkhacha, head of the Volunteers for Development Foundation, called for a new constitution that would diminish social discrimination and guarantee rights to freedom and a secure life.

Separately, CDA vice president Kramol Tongdhamachart announced that PM's Office Minister Bokhin Polakula promised full support for all CDA-related activity on all state-owned media channels after he met with CDA president Uthai Pimchaichon yesterday.

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