THE 20TH Constitution of the Kingdom has finally been promulgated, and everything that attaches to it – the road map, the election and the resumption of democratic rule – now becomes more concrete after almost three years of a nebulous rule since the coup.

But looking back, what happened to the “we’ll keep our promises, just give us a moment” lyrics that were constantly played as the regime’s theme song in 2014, which were repeated in interviews and media briefings which also said an election would be held the following year?

The “moment” the junta asked for in 2014 turned into 29 months since the charter drafting started in November 2014. Over such a prolonged period, not only the drafting but many other issues got in the way and delayed by three years the promised 2015 election, now set for 2018.

The whole process started off in November 2014. About five months after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) seized power, junta head Prayut Chan-o-cha appointed the Constitution Drafting Committee, chaired by veteran jurist Borwornsak Uwanno, to write a new charter that was to govern the country after the junta stepped down. According to the interim charter, the panel had 120 days to complete the country’s supreme law.

Authorities then said the charter could be completed in mid-2015 and, after writing necessary organic laws, the election was anticipated late that year or early 2016.

But the plot became twisted. The charter, despite its strong civil politics components, included a crisis committee that became highly controversial, and before it could be put before a national referendum, it was aborted by the junta-appointed National Reform Council, stirring up a national drama.

Borwornsak was furious to the point of saying that he regretted being part of a charter drafting process that had ruined his reputation and that “[the military] was here to stay”.

The failure of the first draft and the inclusion of the crisis panel that could have overruled elected governments, also prompted junta opponents to call for the military to step down to let an elected government write the constitution.

Regardless, the junta went on with its “road map to democracy”, amending the constitution to allow for another charter writing panel, and began drafting the constitution once again in October 2015.

It appointed a new panel, the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC). This time, it was veteran constitution writer Meechai Ruchupan in the saddle. But it has not been an easy ride. For one thing, he was appointed by a post-coup regime that has been highly censured both at home and abroad. For another, the anti-coup faction constantly has brought up the fact that Meechai also wrote the constitution in 1992 that led to the bloodshed of Black May as a consequence of an outsider prime minister. But the veteran rode out the storm of distrust, completing the new charter draft, which challenged pro-democracy advocates with an alleged bureaucratic slant as well as a so-called “democracy exemption period” of five years to rebuild the country. This was seen as allowing an outsider prime minister and establishing mechanisms alleged to help prolong the coup-makers’ power.

In August, four months after the charter was completed, Meechai claimed victory after the draft was approved in a national referendum that also asked the people whether they would agree to authorise the non-elected Senate to participate in choosing a prime minister.

Although it was uncertain whether the referendum’s success was due to the regime’s popularity or a desire for elections, the sequel was clear: The CDC had to revise the draft charter corresponding to the poll results before submission for royal endorsement.

Just when charter promulgation was clearly in sight, the road map met another sharp turn when the Kingdom’s much-beloved monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej passed away in October. Seeking royal endorsement to officially enact the charter consequently had to be put on hold as the present King Vajiralongkorn joined the Thai people in national mourning.

In the meantime, the Constitutional Court advised revising the charter’s preamble, which involved the title of the monarch and year of his reign. The National Legislative Assembly also petitioned the court to rule whether the Senate could propose PM candidates.

As a result, it took another three months before the issues were unravelled and Prayut was able to submit the completed charter for royal endorsement in November.

The charter, however, was returned for revision in consideration of royal observations.

That process also required an amendment of the interim charter. Altogether, the revisions were completed and it was submitted for final royal endorsement on February 17.

After the twists and turns during these 29 months, the country can now finally see the new constitution King Rama X endorsed yesterday. And the highly anticipated election should take place about 18 months from now after the necessary organic laws are written.