Referendum of Thailand's new Charter possible

BANGKOK, May 19 (TNA) - The Cabinet and the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) are scheduled to discuss Thailand's new Constitution draft and the possibility of organizing a referendum for voters to decide on the newly-written Charter on May 19. Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam, who oversees legal affairs, told journalists of the plan on Monday, saying the Cabinet would present proposals for changes to the country's draft Constitution and the proposals would later be reported to the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC). Dr. Wissanu revealed that concerned parties did not oppose a non-elected Thai prime minister, but they wanted the draft Charter to state clearly conditions for the appointment of a non-elected prime minister and his or her qualifications. The deputy premier proposed that the timeframe for the amendment of Thailand's new Constitution draft be extended from 60 to 90 days because there have been a large number of amendment proposals. Meanwhile, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha suggested that concerned parties wait and see whether Tuesday's joint Cabinet-NCPO meeting would support the referendum, pointing out if the referendum was agreed, the 2014 Provisional Thai Constitution would have to be amended to realize the move. (TNA)