The batch consists of 100,000 copies of the document, with 50,000 given to the CDC and the NLA each for further distribution at “democratic promotion” centres, EC deputy secretary-general Thanit Sriprathet said. He took the media on a tour of the EC’s printing house in Pathum Thani yesterday.

Each package has four documents including a complete draft of the constitution, two summaries and an explanation on the NLA’s extra question regarding senators’ role in selecting a prime minister.

About 900,000 more copies of the package are being prepared for nationwide distribution next month, the deputy secretary-general |said.

Another 17 million booklets summarising content of the charter draft and explaining the NLA’s additional question, as well as information relating to the referendum process, will be distributed to voters 15 days before the August 7 vote.

The total cost of the operation would be Bt30 million less than the EC had estimated earlier, Thanit said. Voters have more than one month to study the constitution before the referendum takes place, he said.

Meanwhile, Thailand’s digital television association submitted a letter to Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn asking for details about when EC-sponsored programmes regarding the referendum and the constitution should be aired.

13-episode series

The EC earlier announced it would produce a 13-episode public relations series to be aired from 6.20pm to 6.50pm on Monday and Wednesday on every TV channel starting on |June 27.

However, the association expressed concern that airing the programme at the same time on all channels would limit people’s exposure as they could be occupied during that window of time.

The association has asked that channels have the discretion to select the programming slots on their own.

In a related development, the CDC has instructed officials from the Interior Ministry to postpone training sessions for district-level volunteers, known as the “Kru Khoh” or “Teacher B” group, pending instructions.

However, the training must still be completed by June 7, CDC spokesman Chatchai na Chiangmai said.