Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn, a member of the Group of 40, has submitted a petition to the Constitution Court it to order a freeze on the deliberation of the bill seeking to amend Sections 68 and 237 of the constitution.
The bill was proposed for deliberation by 312 MPs and senators led by House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont.
Senator Somchai's petition also requests the Constitution Court to order the dissolution of the Pheu Thai, Chartthaipattana, Chart Pattana, Palang Chon, Mahachon and New Democracy parties. The MPs supporting the bill are all members of one of these parties.
In the petition, the 312 lawmakers are accused of breaching Sections 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the constitution as well as Constitution Court's orders by proposing amendments to Sections 68 and 237 to restrict the rights of the people.
Section 68 concerns the right of the public to directly ask the Constitution Court to examine moves deemed detrimental to the constitutional monarchy.
Under Section 237, infringements of the election law by party candidates can result in the party's dissolution and a five-year political ban on party executives.
Mr Somchai said these sections, if amended, could lead to the eradication of the democratic system under the monarchy and the unconstitutional seizure of power.
Mr Somchai filed his petition, exercising his right under Section 68.
Chaowana Traimas, secretary-general of the Constitution Court, said the petition had been examined and verified. It would be tabled to a meeting of the Constitution Court for consideration on Wednesday at 3pm.
He could not say whether the court would issue an order in response to the petition.
