The point is left to ambiguous interpretation in the charter and as the charter draft is close to wrapping-up, the government called for a meeting with the EC yesterday at Government House.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam confirmed the amendment although the details how the charter would be amended were not yet disclosed. Wissanu said he would submit the revision to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha for consideration within the next few days, before tabling it to the Cabinet for endorsement.

Wissanu initially confirmed the referendum would be held on July 31, or within seven days plus or minus.

Campaigns in regard to the voting in the referendum would be allowed after the Constitution Drafting Commission has come up with the final version of the draft. The final version is expected in April.

The EC, led by commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, also proposed to the government over whether it should draft a bill to identify punishments on electoral wrongdoings such as throwing a party to entice voters to vote, blocking voters from voting, mobilising a large number of voters to vote. If the government agrees with the bill option, Wissanu can ask the National Legislative Assembly to draft the bill immediately, he said.

The EC also asked Wissanu about printing 16.7 million copies of the charter draft for Thai households over whether the copies should be distributed to community centres or government centres only in order to save state funds.

The EC said the fund to hold a referendum totalled Bt2.4 billion: to print 16.7 million copies of the charter draft to households amounted to Bt800 million and to state agencies Bt900 million. The total funds are Bt4.1 billion. Wissanu asked the EC to revise the proposed budget and see where it can be cut to save money.