SOMBAT THAMRONGTHANYAWONG, VETERAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST AND FORMER CHAIR OF THE NOW-DEFUNCT NATIONAL REFORM COUNCIL’S |POLITICAL REFORM COMMITTEE

My life will be the same. The draft will have no impact on my life, as I’m an academic. As for society, the next coalition government will be ineffective and make no progress in following the national reform plan. Many key problems such as the price of agricultural products, drug abuse and the quality of education will not be resolved. Politics seems to be weak, which means corruption will get worse.

WATANA MUANGSOOK, FORMER PHEU THAI MP AND COMMERCE MINISTER

If it is accepted, politics would change. Under a military constitution, the NCPO [National Council for Peace and Order] will still be in control of the country through various organs including independent organisations and the 250 selected senators, who will hold their seats for five years.

The next government will not be able to run the country efficiently, as the draft stipulates such strict regulations. For instance, there will be no room for an elected government to subsidise farmers or implement market interventions, as it does not offer state assistance like the 2007 Constitution did. The country will not progress.

SATIT WONGNONGTAEY, FORMER DEMOCRAT MP

If the charter passes, I will begin preparing to run in the next election. It will be like school has re-opened after long holidays – three years. I will get to become a representative of the people, and will spend much more time studying people’s problems so I can plan political policies accordingly.

This draft, however, imposes restrict regulation for politicians. But I’m happy to see such regulations and harsh penalties for fraudulent politicians. The draft will not change my life much, as rights and freedom are duly constituted under the charter.

SOMCHAI SEWANAPHON, TEACHER IN THE SOUTH’S PHATTHALUNG PROVINCE

The draft charter will not affect my personal life that much. Overall, this draft will make our country undemocratic in other countries’ eyes. In my view, the dictatorship regime will continue influencing politics.