a slight modification. A clause could be added to or after Article 13 saying that— “If fifteen members of the กรรมการองคมนตรี make a written request to the President of the Committee, asking the President to submit to His Majesty the King that certain matters are of importance for the general welfare of the country and the people, and that His Majesty should be graciously pleased to allow the matters to be discussed by the Committee, the President shall submit a petition to His Majesty, asking for a Royal sanction to hold a meeting to discuss the matters.” It is understood that the King may grant the permission to hold the meeting or not as he thinks fit. (It is the right of veto recognized by all democracies. The King can also dissolve parliament.) I think that in this form, it is quite admissible and is much better than to grant a general right to a non-elected body to hold a meeting at any time. I believe that it will be able to fulfil its purpose of being a deterrent to those in power from acting arbitrarily or against the interests of the State. Anybody in power would hesitate to refuse such requests, unless he has very good reasons. Of course, a perfectly unscrupulous man may possibly refuse the request. But then with such a man, no institution could prevent him from doing bad actions, not even a parliament (cf. Charles I), and the only thing to do then is to chop off his head!
Thus the formation of this Committee may possibly serve two useful purposes (however imperfectly):—
1.As a means of experimenting and learning in methods of parliamentary debate.
2.As a restraining influence against misuse of power.
