Foreign diplomats queried the merits of the draft charter Tuesday, raising questions as to how the draft could prevent the country from plunging back into political conflict.
The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) and the Foreign Ministry held a briefing Tuesday on the draft constitution for foreign diplomats from 63 countries, as well as representatives from 11 international organisations.
CDC spokesman Norachit Sinhaseni and CDC member Suppachai Yaowaprapas took questions from the diplomats. Reporters were not allowed in.
Speaking after the briefing, Mr Norachit told reporters the diplomats queried the CDC's proposed provision requiring each political party to provide a list of up to three prime ministerial candidates before elections. Parliament will then choose the prime minister from the combined lists after the election.
They wanted to know how the CDC would deal with the possibility of all parties nominating the same candidate, Mr Norachit said.
Mr Norachit explained the CDC does not intend for political parties to support any particular candidate to become prime minister. But the CDC wants the public to know beforehand who will be nominated as prime ministerial candidates, he said.
He added that several parties can support the same candidate. The draft charter does not ban this. "But if several parties do so, this means they tell the world they are forming a political partnership," he said.
The diplomats also questioned if the draft charter could help prevent future political crises.
Mr Norachit said the constitution alone cannot solve all problems. It depends on all those involved in enforcing the law and the stakeholders, he said.
He also said he highlighted the draft charter's stringent measures to stamp out graft and keep corrupt politicians from coming to power.
He said he told the diplomats the government will stick to its roadmap which will lead to a general election in July next year.
Other draft charter provisions such as the indirect election of the Senate, and a single ballot paper for both constituency and party-list MPs were also spelled out during the briefing, Mr Norachit said.
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said the ministry will forward suggestions for inclusion in the draft charter. They cover issues relating to the making of international agreements, efforts to combat corruption, as well as the adoption and implementation of the sufficiency economy philosophy to promote sustainable development.
Since Thailand has assumed the chairmanship of the Group of 77, comprised of 134 developing countries, this year it will push for the sufficiency economy philosophy as a model for sustainable growth for other member countries, Mr Don said.
Also Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said he has been assigned by the cabinet to gather proposals on the draft charter from cabinet ministers before presenting them for a review to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. The proposals will then be submitted to the CDC by Feb 15.
Mr Wissanu said an issue that has triggered concern is that the draft charter imposes too many restrictions and will make governing difficult.
The government will ask the CDC to consider improving the wording of some provisions to ease these restrictions, he said, adding the government will also propose anti-corruption mechanisms to help keep graft in check.
Mr Wissanu also said the government will put forward reform proposals initiated during the current regime to be included in the draft charter.
All agencies involved in holding the referendum on the draft will meet today to discuss preparations, according to Mr Wissanu.
He also hinted at the possibility that additional questions relating to the draft charter may be included in the referendum, on top of whether voters "accept" or "reject" the draft constitution.
The questions may be proposed by the National Legislative Assembly and the National Council for Peace and Order, he said.
The CDC is gathering feedback, to be submitted by Feb 15, on the draft charter from all stakeholders including public forums.
