Thai Senate voted overwhelmingly Friday to pass the first reading of a public referendum bill aimed at breaking the current political impasse in the country.
After a two-hour debate, the half-appointed, half-elected 150-seat Senate voted 119-5 to pass the first reading.
The voting came after the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej gave the green light to the idea at a special cabinet meeting on Thursday.
The reading was passed during a speeded-up process with an aim to end the political deadlock between anti-government protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the government led by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej. The proposed referendum will allow the people to decide either to follow the PAD's demand to oust the Samak government.
After a two-hour debate, the Senate has on Friday passed its first reading of the referendum bill by a majority vote of 119 to five. Two abstained.
A special panel of 29 members was appointed to review the articles in the bill for the final two readings. The final judgment is expected to be completed within 90 days.
Government Spokesman Wichienchote Sukchoterat earlier said that if the Senate approves the proposed referendum, the process could begin within 30 days or early October. The Council of State will be assigned to draft a questionnaire for the referendum.
But earlier the Election Commission (EC), which will be responsible for organizing a public referendum as normally required, threw cold water on the idea with EC member Prapan Naikowit saying before attending the senate session that it would take at least six to seven months to prepare for the referendum.
The opposition Democrat Party has voiced disapproval of the referendum idea, saying it was just a tactic of Samak to buy time.
The PAD continued its occupation of the Government House into the 10th day on Friday and maintained its demand for the Samak cabinet to step down and vowed to carry on with the anti-government street protest, despite an declaration of state of emergency in the capital by the premier on Tuesday.
Source:Xinhua
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