NRC starts deliberating Thailand's draft Charter

BANGKOK, April 20 (TNA) - The National Reform Council (NRC) has started deliberating Thailand's draft Constitution, with NRC members vowing to do their best to protect the nation from crises. NRC's debate on the first draft, worked out by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), began at Bangkok's Parliament building on Monday morning, chaired by NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana. Prior to the debate, about 40 NRC members worshipped the statue of King Rama VII in front of the Parliament building and vowed to do their best in the debate and scrutiny of the draft Charter for public and national interest. NRC members told journalists that they wanted to free the nation from political crises and drive toward a new direction of national development under the ongoing national reform process. Later, they worshipped an image of Phra Siam Thewathirat, Thailand's Protection God. The 79 hour-debate was set for seven days from April 20-26, 15 hours go to CDC's presentation on the first-draft Charter and the remaining 64 hours to NRC members' deliberation. Meanwhile, CDC Chairman Borwornsak Uwanno affirmed that no one had influenced the drafting and the draft Charter, to be publicized on April 27, 2015, is aimed at empowering Thai citizens, creating clean domestic politics, promoting social justice and leading the nation to sustainable peace and happiness. CDC Spokesman General Lertrat Rattanawanit said after the debate, representatives of 18 reform committees would be invited to discuss the revision of the first Constitution draft. (TNA)