Thailand's new permanent charter ready by January

Bangkok, October 19: Thai constitution drafters are expected to complete the first version of a new permanent charter by the end of January 2016, an official said on Monday.

After the first draft comes out, comments will be gathered and they will be reviewed accordingly, spokesman of the newly-formed Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) Norachit Sinhaseni said.

Norachit made the remarks while briefing diplomats and representatives of intertiol organisations on the CDC’s progress in charter drafting, Xinhua news agency reported.

The 21-member CDC was set up earlier this month after a previous 124-page draft constitution was rejected by the already-dissolved tiol Reform Council in September.

The drafters have not yet discussed such issues as holding a referendum on a filised draft and what to do if it is voted down, Norachit said.

According to the government’s new roadmap, four months will be needed to prepare a public referendum after a fil draft is readied, another six months to draft organic laws and four more months for election preparations.

Thailand should have a new general election in mid-2017, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said. (IANS)