Int'l envoys briefed on Thailand's new Charter draft

BANGKOK, May 3 (TNA) - The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has briefed foreign ambassadors and representatives from 47 embassies plus six international organisations in Bangkok on contents of Thailand’s new Constitution draft, as the public referendum on the new Charter draft has been set on August 7, 2016. CDC Spokesman Norachit Sinhaseni invited the international envoys for the briefing on Tuesday, informing them that the draft has been completed and is now awaiting the public referendum, while people will be, in the meantime, explained on the draft. The CDC spokesman acknowledged that the new Constitution was drafted to suit Thailand’s situation and culture. The CDC spokesman later told journalists that CDC Chairman Meechai Ruchupan has suggested opinions from foreign countries are not necessary because the new Charter draft, worked out in accordance with guidelines given by the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), headed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha, is for Thailand. However, CDC decided to give the briefing because the international diplomats were keen to learn about the draft. According to the CDC spokesman, a similar briefing will be organised in Bangkok for volunteers on May 18 before they are sent to "knock the doors of local households, two for each community, to explain them on the draft before the August 7 public referendum. Meanwhile, another CDC spokesman, Chatchai Na Chiangmai, told reporters that the trained volunteers will be sent to knock the doors of the local households in July, after their training is completed in June. (TNA)