The resolution came as the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) yesterday wrote the ‘Amendment of the Constitution’ chapter, the last chapter of the charter.

CDC chief Meechai Ruchupan explained that the drafters did not want to see those clauses amended too easily, especially when they had been trying to set rules that would keep away corrupt people from politics. Otherwise, those winning the majority vote in the national election would seek to amend them, he said.

Hence, drafters set conditions for constitutional amendments to ensure that they were well accepted by all parties, Meechai told.

The motion to amend the charter could be proposed by at least one-fifth of remaining members of the House of Representatives or at least 50,000 people signing a petition. The proposal will go through three readings, he explained. To pass the first reading, it must be endorsed by the majority of both the upper and lower houses, with at least one-third of senators voting for it. And for it to pass the last reading, at least 10 per cent of MPs from those parties having more than 10 seats in the lower house must also endorse.

Besides those clauses, chapters requiring a referendum before promulgation were General Provisions, The King, and Amendment of the Constitution.

Additionally, the drafter chief also noted that any amendment to change the constitutional monarchy was not feasible.

Yesterday was the penultimate day of the CDC retreat in Phetchaburi’s Cha-am district where the drafters are giving the final touches to the charter draft. They have completed all the 13 chapters of the new constitution containing about 260 articles in total.

As for the ‘Transitory Provision’ chapter, Meechai said it would be deliberated upon and written when drafters resumed their regular session in Bangkok.

According to the CDC’s schedule, the final version of the initial draft would be released on January 29 for the National Council for Peace and Order, the Cabinet, the National Legislative Assembly, the National Reform Steering Assembly, as well as the general public to see.

Concerned parties would have until February 15 to submit their comments regarding the constitution draft to the CDC before they start polishing the final version of the new constitution draft.