CDC hands final charter draft to Prayut

After working on the charter for a year, the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) yesterday finished its job and delivered the completed draft to the premier at Government House at the auspicious time of 08.59am.

The premier said he would spend 30 days reviewing the charter and checking whether it was complete before seeking royal endorsement. 

The CDC had 30 days to amend the charter in accordance with the August referendum results. In the referendum, most voters accepted having the Senate join the Lower House to select a premier if MPs are unable to select a government head from names submitted by political parties. 

The CDC first revised Article 272 of the draft in response to the vote, but the Constitutional Court ruled two weeks ago that the revision went against the referendum because it did not specify that the Senate would be allowed to waive the party lists to make way for a selected premier.

The CDC then revised the act in line with the court ruling, finishing it on Friday. 

The CDC, led by its Meechai Ruchupan, met Prayut and government officials including deputy prime ministers Wissanu Krea-ngam and Prawit Wongsuwan as well as PM’s Office Minister ML Panadda Disakul yesterday. 

After the hour-long meeting, Meechai quoted Prayut as sympathising with drafters who had worked on the charter despite controversy. The premier also told the CDC to be patient, Meechai said. 

Once the constitution is implemented, the government will push for further work in line with its political roadmap, especially the writing of more than 100 laws as stipulated in the charter, Meechai said.