Law and judiciary
Constitution and rights
Experts push for inquisitorial system of justice
Experts at a seminar on constitutional procedure in the organic law related to the Constitutional Court expressed the need to emphasise on the inquisitorial system over the adversarial legal system as well as allow the public to bring constitutional dispute cases to the Court. The ...
King signs new Constitution
His Majesty the King on April 6 signed the country’s new constitution – the 20th – giving it royal endorsement and setting in motion a process for the next general election, which is expected late next year. Through a court secretary, HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn proclaimed ...
Diplomats and businesses mix hope with caution on return of democracy
The International community on April 6 expressed hope that the promulgation of a new Constitution would pave the way for Thailand’s return to full democracy although some concerns remained because of restrictions on political rights and activities imposed by the junta. The private sector had mixed ...
Hluttaw to recess after budget approval
The 2017-18 National Planning Bill from the Union government was approved by Pyidaungsu Hluttaw on March 15, following a K296 billion cut from the original allocated amount. After reviewing the projects to be implemented by the ministries and Union-level organisations during the coming fiscal year, ...
Critics skeptical of new privacy legislation
Myanmar’s newly enacted privacy and security protection law received skepticism from several civil society groups that said the legislation was “incomplete” and failed to fully ensure the protection of individuals’ privacy and freedom of expression as it was adopted hastily and without public consultation. The ...
Failures at assembly pile up
National Assembly effectiveness declined last year with prosecutions of opposition lawmakers, partisan passing of laws and many assembly members visiting constituents only to shore up their vote, an election watchdog claimed on February 21. A Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia report on ...
Political parties law moves ahead
Ruling party members on the National Assembly’s Permanent Committee approved several proposed amendments to the law on political parties on February 13 despite strong requests for a delay from the opposition. The bill will now be reviewed and studied by the commission of legislation and ...
Disqualification law not intended to bully EC: Meechai
Chief constitution writer Meechai Ruchupan on November 16 said all independent agencies, including the Constitutional Court, would be treated equally regarding the disqualification of members as stipulated by new organic laws, adding the Constitution Drafting Commission had no intention to bully the Election Commission. The drafters ...
Revised charter submitted to govt
The new constitution with a revised preamble has been submitted to the government for royal endorsement, the chief charter drafter said on November 2. Constitution Drafting Commission chairman Meechai Ruchupan said two changes have been made to reflect the current situation following the passing of ...
MPs from 1990 to form draft committee for new constitution
More than 25 years on, MPs elected in the 1990 election that was set aside by the military regime are taking another crack at changing the constitution. The Members of Parliament Union 1990 want to make radical changes to the military-drafted 2008 charter. Both President U ...
