The draft constitution to be voted on by the National Reform Council (NRC) on Sept 6 is appropriate to the present situation, former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said on Tuesday.
According to Matichon Online, Mr Suthep, chairman of the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reforms Foundation, spoke out in support of the draft charter during a press conference at a Bangkok hotel.
He said that although the document may have some shortcomings, they could be amended in the future as deemed necessary.
"What is more important is that there must be a guarantee for Thailand's future, for the people to see the light and have a better life," he said.
According to Mr Suthep, the final draft of the constitution is good enough for the people to support it in the referendum. The voice of the majority is important, he added.
When it was pointed out that his support contradicted Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva's call for the NRC to vote against it, and that members of the People's Democratic Reform Committee he previously led were supporters of the Democrat Party, Mr Suthep said nearly half of the PDRC protesters had never voted for the party.
He said his foundation was not tied to any political group or party.
On a provisional clause which would set up the National Strategic Committee for Reconciliation and Reforms, or "crisis panel", Mr Suthep said he was not pessimistic about it. The committee would comprise respected people who could be trusted.
Asked whether he would support the formation of a coalition government for national unity, Mr Suthep said the matter was not yet clear to him. From past experience, he did not believe a national coalition government would be workable.
