The chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee has hit back at accusations the new charter is too long, claiming every detail of the document can be justified.
Borwornsak Uwanno on Saturday defended its length, citing the unprecedented chapters on reforms and reconciliation.
He said committee members could explain every element of the 315-page draft, after Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam complained the document was too detailed.
“This one isn’t longer than the 1997 or the 2007 versions; if we don’t count the special chapters on reforms and reconciliation. If those were left out, the draft charter is shorter than previous ones,” he said.
Mr Wissanu on Friday claimed the draft could have been made more concise by getting rid of 30 sections and points on organic laws.
But Mr Borwornsak argued that the content, not the length of the charter, is the only thing that matters.
He said that passing organic laws is notoriously challenging, adding that several pieces of legislation to accompany the 2007 charter never came to fruition. That charter was abolished by the coup.
Representatives from the cabinet and the National Council for Peace and Order have been invited to meetings with the CDC from June 1-6 to explain their suggestions. Mr Borwornsak said the CDC is willing to hear feedback and will make changes if necessary.
He shrugged off politicians' suggestion the election be delayed in exchange for a “better charter”, saying he will force the CDC to keep to its schedule. The CDC is required to complete drafting by July 23, while the National Reform Council will vote on it by Aug 6.
“You have to ask political parties why they have come up with this proposal,” he said. “My job is to do what is prescribed in the interim charter.”
Mr Borwornsak rejected further criticism of the draft by chief ombudsman Siracha Vongsarayankura, who described it as unpractical.
He said Mr Siracha has a vested interest in discrediting the draft, which calls for a merger of the Office of Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Commission.
