The National Reform Council (NRC) has formally supported putting the new constitution draft to a referendum.
NRC president Thienchay Kiranandana already submitted the proposal to Gen Prayut, in his capacity as prime minister and chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), according to NRC whip Alongkorn Ponlaboot on Monday.
The NRC's move followed a similar suggestion made by the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) last week. By doing so, the NRC and CDC have put the onus on Gen Prayut to decide whether to go ahead with the process.
According to the NRC's recommendations, a referendum should be held if the NRC endorses the draft and the referendum should be on the entire charter draft, not by section, Mr Alongkorn said.
The NRC also suggested a unit or organisation be assigned to organise the referendum, to be held six months if and after the NRC approves it.
"Six months is appropriate. Copies of the draft will be distributed to 47 million voters in the first three months. People would need another three months to digest it and make the decision," he said.
Mr Alongkorn stressed the proposal was not binding, and the NRC respects the decisions of the cabinet and the NCPO should they decide tomorrow not to hold the referendum.
The constitution draft is in the process of being reviewed by the NCPO, the cabinet and NRC.
They will have until May 25 to propose changes to it. The CDC will consider revising the draft based on the proposed changes before sending it back to the NRC by Aug 6. The NRC is scheduled to vote whether to accept or reject the final draft on Sept 9.
The 2014 interim charter provides if the NRC endorses it, the charter draft will be promulgated. If the draft is rejected, the NRC, as well as the CDC which originated from it, will be dissolved and a new body appointed until a charter draft is endorsed.
There have been calls to put the charter draft to a referendum so people can have a say on the highest law. Gen Prayut has not rejected the idea but said in order to do so, the 2014 interim charter must be amended by the NLA first and the general election, slated for early 2016 by the NCPO's roadmap, will have to be delayed.
