ThaiPM:Decision on referendum of new Charter should be finalized by Aug 6

BANGKOK, May 14 (TNA) - Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha has suggested that a decision on whether there should be a public referendum on Thailand's new Constitution be finalized by August 6, 2015, stressing that he is ready for the referendum if all concerned parties agreed it would help relieve ideological differences in the country. The prime minister told journalists on Thursday that it should be concluded before August 6 whether to have the referendum so that there would be enough time for relevant preparations, including questions of the referendum. The prime minister noted that he has had his legal staff to look into the matter and recommended that concerned parties also discuss it, including the Thai Cabinet, the army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Election Commission of Thailand (EC). The Thai premier insisted if all parties saw the necessity of the referendum and its merit in relieving domestic political strife, there would be it. The Thai prime minister revealed, however, that he has not yet received an official proposal from the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) for the referendum, after its unanimously vote to support the referendum on May 13, pointing out, however, that an amendment to the ongoing Provisional Constitution is necessary to pave the way for the referendum. Meanwhile, Thai Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam, who oversees legal affairs, told reporters that the Cabinet and NCPO will meet on May 19 to discuss the CDC's proposed referendum, as well as opinions voiced by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and the National Reform Council (NRC). According to the Thai deputy premier, if the referendum was finally agreed, it should take place in either December 2015 or January 2016. (TNA)