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Thailand delays decision to amend constitution, as protest held outside parliament
- Thai lawmakers voted to set up a committee to study the process of the constitutional amendment first, angering over 1,000 demonstrators outside
- Anti-government protesters have been calling for the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and less power for the monarchy
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Thailand’s parliament voted on Thursday to delay making a decision on whether it will amend the constitution, as demanded by anti-government protesters who have demonstrated nearly every day for more than two months.
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The parliament, dominated by supporters of the government, opted instead to set up a committee to study the process of the constitutional amendment first.
“The vote to accept a motion for constitutional changes is effectively delayed to November,” said pro-government lawmaker Chinnaworn Boonyakiat.
The decision angered opposition parliamentarians and protesters, more than 1,000 of whom had gathered outside the parliament to press their demands for constitutional change and for the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader.
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Protesters say the current constitution was drafted to ensure he kept power after elections last year, while Prayuth says the vote was fair.
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