BANGKOK — Claiming that “the days of tearing up the constitution have passed,” the cabinet announced that the new 2007 charter will be printed with “clearly visible” perforated lines on the inside margin.
Publicizing the innovation on the 75th anniversary of Thailand’s first constitution yesterday, Minister of Justice Charnchai Likitijitta said, “New paper, introduced by a local printing house, allows for quick, easy and neat ripping, meaning future political transformations will be much smoother.”
Historians have applauded the design, which will better preserve future nullified charters and allow them to be kept in tidy stacks on their desks.
The announcements highlighted a day of wide-ranging celebrations and activities held in honor of the “supreme law of the land.” Across the country, millions of Thais took time out to celebrate Thailand’s first constitution in 1932 and the 16 that have followed. Many spent the national holiday discussing politics and debating which voided constitution was their all-time favorite.
The cabinet also announced that next year would see the opening of a new museum dedicated to Thailand’s most sacred document. The museum will have four rooms: Constitutions 1932-1945, Constitutions 1946-1967, Constitutions 1968-present, and a special exhibit called Constitutions Signed at Gun Point.
