BANGKOK, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) — Thailand’s revised draft constitution has been submitted by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for royal endorsement and will be revealed later, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam disclosed on Saturday.
Wissanu, who serves as the current government’s legal expert, said the revised draft charter was submitted on Friday and the king would have 90 days to consider whether to endorse it according to the interim charter.
He noted that revisions made to the draft would have no impact on people in general.
The draft charter was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum last August, pending royal endorsement since last November.
King Maha Vajiralongkorn requested changes to the draft charter pertaining issues on his royal power in January.
The government has set up a 10-man panel formed by legal experts to amend the draft charter.
Further reporting by China Report ASEAN:
A constitutional referendum was held in Thailand on 7 August 2016. It was approved by 61% of voters with a 59% turnout. The main difference between the 2007 constitution and the 2016 constitution is that the Senate is to become a fully appointed body rather than a semi-elected one, during a 5-year ‘transitional period’ stipulated by the charter. The Senate will also be granted veto power over the House of Representatives, and a Prime Minister can be appointed from outside either house.
The draft charter was met by strong opposition as some people saw it as an attempt by the National Council for Peace and Order (the military government) to retain power after it has left office.
The new charter is now to be presented to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for endorsement.
China Report ASEAN 