Nakarin Regrets 2024 Senate Election System As A Mistake
Former Constitutional Court President Nakarin Mektrairat stated at the NDC 68 Symposium on Sept 7, 2026, that the self-selection Senate is his biggest regret.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Nakarin Mektrairat delivered a special lecture at the NDC 68 Symposium on Sept 7, 2026
- He admitted that the 2024 self-selection Senate system was a major mistake
- Highlighted that the Election Commission faces very low public trust
- Stressed that any new constitution must belong to everyone, not a single faction
On September 7, 2026, former Constitutional Court President Nakarin Mektrairat delivered a special lecture titled "Thai Politics and Thai Society for the Future" at the NDC’68 Symposium. The academic seminar was organized by students of the National Defence College Class 68 at the Multi-purpose Building of the National Defence Studies Institute, where Nakarin shared candid perspectives on Thailand's political direction.
Nakarin pointed out that the appointment processes for independent organizations undergo constant changes, often accompanied by skepticism, uncertainty, and numerous legal challenges. Clear examples include controversies surrounding the Chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBFC), as well as delays in appointing members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), whose royal endorsement process has stalled for a long period.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
When a high-ranking former judicial figure openly critiques the integrity of independent bodies and the Senate selection mechanism, it highlights deep architectural flaws within Thailand's 2017 constitutional framework. The unprecedented self-selection voting method for the Senate has continuously struggled with public legitimacy, casting long shadows over future legislative checks and balances.
A critical point raised by Nakarin is that the current Senate's exercise of power holds relatively low legitimacy, stemming directly from the 2024 self-selection voting system. He noted that this mechanism was entirely self-invented and had never been tested anywhere else previously, making the future trajectory of Thai politics increasingly blurred and uncertain.
Furthermore, the former Constitutional Court president addressed public trust in political institutions and the constitution, stating that levels of acceptance remain quite low. Specifically, public confidence in the Election Commission's management of polls is minimal. He concluded by emphasizing that any future constitution must truly belong to all citizens rather than serving a specific political color or group.
Source: Khaosod Politics
Found something wrong in this article? Report an issue with this article
Comments
Leave a Comment