The post-coup interim charter allows the junta chief to overrule any existing law and also other government branches – namely the legislature and the judiciary.

August’s national referendum helped strengthen the government’s position further when more than 60 per cent of voters approved the draft charter. For some, the result was a stamp of public approval for the government and the junta, offsetting the undemocratic means by which they came to power.

Prior to the referendum, pressure against Prayut’s administration had been building both here and abroad. Opponents of the draft charter had complained about restrictions on referendum campaigning, though the vote passed off without serious incident and the country moved on.

The draft was revised to reflect the vote in favour of a proposal for appointed senators to join the process for selecting the prime minister for the next five years. Last month the revised draft was forwarded to the Palace for Royal endorsement.

The Constitution Drafting Commission is now writing organic laws required by the new charter, whose promulgation will trigger the countdown to the next general election.

This final month of the year has seen the government faced with a new challenge – this time from a large group of netizens protesting amendments to the Computer Crime Act that are expected to restrict freedom of expression. Their protest came in the form of attacks against government agency websites.

With more laws of a similar nature in the pipeline, the expressions of public discontent will likely continue next year.

Otherwise things appear to be going smoothly for the government. There is speculation however that its political roadmap for a return to democracy may be further delayed. Rumour has it that certain figures in power are unhappy with particular provisions in the final draft charter and are seeking ways to revise them. But they have run into several obstacles. The draft is no longer in government hands, while any revision made now would risk violating the document mandated by voters in the referendum.

However, there are whispers that changes will be made through amending the interim charter – a much easier option.

Asked to comment on this matter, National Legislative Assembly president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai replied: “There have been no changes so far.”

Pornpetch did admit to telling assembly members not to travel abroad at this time, though they have been permitted a long New Year’s holiday. When pressed, he declined to say whether or not there would be amendments made to the interim charter next year. “I have not seen any motives for this, so I can’t tell you now,” the NLA chief said.

What we see now as smooth and predictable progress in Thai politics could change quickly in the next few weeks. As we face the new year, uncertainty is the only certainty.