THE PRIME minister yesterday refused to clarify if all stakeholders would be allowed to write a new constitution draft if the current one fails to pass the August 7 referendum.

General Prayut Chan-o-cha said people appeared to be pushing for what they want without contributing to positive changes to the country.

“If the draft constitution does not go through, a new draft will be written,” he said at Government House.

When asked if public participation would be allowed in a new round of drafting, Prayut responded: “Don’t force me to do this or that. I know what should be done. [Critics] seem to force me into everything – election and so on. In conclusion, they just want to gain power, but they won’t correct anything.”

The prime minister was responding to a call from the Platform of Concerned Citizens, a new network of scholars and prominent figures from different fields, including members of major political parties.

In a statement signed by more than 130 people, the group on Wednesday called for a drafting process in which all stakeholders have a say how the new charter should be written.

He said his government would stay in power until a new constitution is in place.

“I will have to make sure there is a new constitution so a new general election can be held,” Prayutsaid.

However, he added that it was not his government’s responsibility if the draft charter written by the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) fails to get majority support in next month’s national vote.

Prayut said he agreed with the call for an open forum for all groups of people to express their opinions in the run-up to the referendum.

“I have assigned the job of holding the forum. It’s my intention. You just wait and see. But it should be done properly, otherwise opposing sides will fight again,” he told reporters.

At a meeting with Army chief General Teerachai Nakwanich at Government House yesterday,Prayut also expressed concern about “malicious” actions being made in the run-up to the referendum, Teerachai said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that the Election Commission (EC) and provincial governors have been instructed to hold forums for public debate about the draft charter in all provinces.

Prawit also dismissed as groundless speculation that the referendum might be postponed. “There will be no postponement,” he said.

CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan, in response to the network’s call for an open forum, said yesterday that he believes it is too late to make changes.

“We cannot make any changes to the draft constitution now. It is time for you to decide whether to approve the draft or not. Holding a debate at this time may lead to conflicts and quarrel,” he said.

Meechai said constitution drafters would not take part in a TV debate organised by the EC that would include both supporters and critics of the draft. He added that drafters preferred to explain contentious issues outside such debates.

He added that he was more concerned about what he described as moves to distort the content of the draft charter, such as claims that it would get rid of the universal healthcare system and monthly payments for the elderly. He said welfare benefits would remain intact.

Democrat Party politician Phumsan Seniwong Na Ayutthaya said moves were being made to cause unrest ahead of the referendum next month.

In a related development, more incidents of eligible voters’ lists being damaged or stolen were reported yesterday.

Lists of eligible voters displayed at polling stations in Satun and Khon Kaen provinces were burned, while a list at a polling station in Kanchaburi’s Muang district was stolen. A motorcyclist in his mid-30s was found to have taken it, police said.

However, no severe violations regarding the referendum were reported yesterday. Deputy national police chief Pol General Sriwara Ransibhramanakul said police in all areas have been instructed to monitor the situation closely.