Thailand's first draft Charter to be reviewed by NRC April 20-26

BANGKOK, March 16 (TNA) - The National Reform Council (NRC) will look into Thailand's first draft Constitution from April 20-26. At an NRC meeting at the Thai Parliament building on Monday, NRC Chair Thienchay Kiranandana told his councilors that NRC will receive the first draft Constitution from the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) by April 17 and NRC will consider it daily from April 20-26. Meanwhile, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, who oversees legal affairs, suggested that people with suspicions about the first draft Constitution send their questions to CDC. Wissanu said concerned parties would also study other interesting chapters of the draft Charter, apart from that concerning the qualifications of the prime minister and the electoral system, namely those on people's freedom, a merit assembly and a citizens' assembly. Regarding the possibility of a referendum on the draft Constitution, the deputy prime minister pointed out the general public should first have more knowledge about the draft Constitution, before a decision would be made whether there should be a referendum, urging politicians to also study the draft Charter thoroughly and CDC quickly introduce the content of the draft Charter to the public. In response to reports that some political parties may refrain from politics to boycott an alleged non-democratic Charter, the deputy prime minister opined that it was an expression of opinions, while the draft Constitution has not been finished yet and concerned parties, thus, still have time before making a decision. (TNA)