“How can she say that? Is she insulting the people? The people have chosen this charter as they believe it will help move the country forward. It’s their business and you can say this is the ‘People’s charter’,” Prawit said.

Yingluck on Monday posted on Facebook that she accepted the people’s decision and was not surprised with the results since people were not free to criticise the draft. She said she had done her best as a Thai citizen in using her voting right, but she regretted the country was moving backward by accepting the charter, which looked like a democratic decision, but actually was not.

Prawit said he had not yet considered easing the ban on political parties holding meetings as the overall situation was peaceful and there was no need yet for them to hold meetings. The new political party act was also not in place yet.

Once the charter’s organic laws were passed, political parties would be allowed to freely hold election campaigns, he said.

Prawit rejected speculation that the government has plans to make all parties start from scratch in the charter’s organic laws, requiring them to re-register. It’s not on the government’s agenda, he said.

At a joint meeting yesterday at Government House before the Cabinet meeting, ministers met with the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) and National Council for Peace and Order, reportedly to discuss the steps forward.

CDC chief Meechai Ruchupan told reporters after the meeting the drafters would work on the next steps that involve preparations for amending the charter and enacting organic laws.

Meechai said the charter amendment involved the additional question to allow the selection of a prime minister by both houses of parliament. It should be enacted by October or November if there were no problems, he said.

The process should take about 90 days to complete. The CDC would amend the charter before handing it to the Constitutional Court for review and then the Cabinet will propose it for royal endorsement, Meechai said.

The CDC will hold its first meeting tomorrow to discuss the amendment along with the drafting of 10 organic laws to pave the way for an election. This would require another 240 days or eight months to complete.

Meechai said that the drafters would unofficially invite some politicians to share their thoughts on organic laws. The CDC will focus on four essential laws involving the election of MPs, the Senate, Election Commission, and political parties, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that at the meeting, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha repeatedly called on the parties to insist on an election by 2017.

Environmental Litigation and Advocacy for the Wants Foundation secretary-general Surachai Trongngam said that even though the new charter has been approved, it was not the end of efforts by community rights campaigners.

“Many rights have been limited under the new constitution, especially the rights of the people to live in a healthy environment. However, there are still some parts of the charter and related laws that people can apply to protect themselves,” Surachai said.

He said some rights that are guaranteed by the constitution could be adapted in legal battles for community rights and there are still related laws, such as Article 96 and 97 of the Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, that could be employed.

“Moreover, Article 278 of the draft charter also indicates that authorities will have to draft the ancillary law for the Environment and Health Impact Assessment … within 240 days after the constitution is effective,” he said.

“We will have to keep monitoring this ancillary law as it will directly affect the effort to protect the environment and natural resources of communities.”

Prasitchai Nu-nuan, an activist from Protect Andaman from Coal Network, said the group would carry on campaigns against harmful projects even though the constitutional draft has been accepted.

“With this new constitution, the junta can take a firmer grip on government policy. And even after the election, the new government will very likely be the inheritor of the NCPO [National Council for Peace and Order] and the pro-capitalist policy by the NCPO is more likely to be passed on for at least a decade,” Prasitchai said.

“Nothing else we can do”

“This new constitution will make our campaigns to protect our rights and our land much harder. It also shows that entrepreneurs have a lot of influence within the military government, but we have nothing else we can do, only keep fighting by using the rights that we still have.”

Pornthip Hongchai, a co-leader of the community advocacy group Rak Ban Kerd based in Loei, said the group would still uphold the rights they had under the previous constitution and continue to stand against the gold mine in Loei regardless of the new constitution.

“Even though it is true that the majority of Thai citizens voted ‘Yes’ for the charter draft, it is still not the legitimate charter, because those approving the draft may not truly understand it and some may have not read it. This charter does not contain community-rights protections as were stated in Article 66 and 67 of the previous constitution,” Pornthip said.

“Before the coup, I had more freedom campaigning against the gold mine, but it became much harder when the NCPO, which rules the country, sent troops under Article 44 to monitor us and suppress our peaceful protest against the gold mine. This constitution will extend our agony under the military regime.”

“The party has the mission to strike a balance of power with politicians in Parliament,” he said, adding that his personal view at this point is that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is that person.

The former senator said another major goal of the party would be to drive the reform movement. “Our party does not belong to the military but it belongs to the people who support “that best and most suitable peson” as the next PM,” he reiterated.

He said he had discussed the need for a new party with various people of the same political beliefs who want to push reform and bring transparency to politics. They have agreed to set up the new party and name it the People’s Reform Party.

“This party will give opportunities for people who detest dirty politics and corruption to participate in checking politicians,” he said.

“Today is like the new beginning because we are telling the people that we will build a new network to establish a political party with three reform goals: Reforming politics, Buddhism and setting up a provincial council in every province to empower the people to participate in checking officials.”

Paiboon said he was delighted that a majority of voters accepted the charter draft and agreed with the proposal to allow the Senate to select the next prime minister.

He said the new party cannot yet be established officially because of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s ban on political gathering and the political party law has yet to be enacted.

“As soon as the law is passed, we will immediately set up the party. The party will raise funds to run the operation but it will not be operated like a company that is owned by anyone,” he said.

He said the new party would not have any link with the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). “Suthep Thaugsuban has already announced he will wash his hands of politics. This party belongs to the people. We will screen politicians who want to join us,” he said.

He dismissed speculations that the party will be under the wing of the PDRC and said he did not think that retired military men under the NCPO would join the party.

“The draft truly belongs to the people and was decided by the people,” Prayut said after a Cabinet meeting yesterday. “It followed all principles. More than 50 per cent [of people eligible to vote] went to vote and also more than 50 per cent accepted [the draft].

“Don’t let anyone twist [the meaning that the referendum] was organised by the military,” Prayutsaid.

With a 58-per-cent turnout, more than 61 per cent of people who cast ballots on Sunday approved the charter and 58 per cent voted to accept the role of a non-elected Senate to vote for |the next prime minister.

However, Prayut said he was aware that 15.56 million “Yes” voters did not outnumber the combination of 9.87 million “No” voters and the 22.96 million eligible voters who abstained from voting, raising questions on whether the “Yes” votes truly reflect a majority of Thais.

“But I think they accepted [the draft] because they wanted the country safe, peaceful and orderly,”Prayut said.

When it comes into force, the constitution will pave the way for the junta to retain power by selecting the Senate, which will be authorised to join the House of Representatives to vote for a potentially unelected prime minister after the next election.

Prayut did not rule out accepting the next premiership if MPs and the handpicked Senate offer him the post.

“Do you think parties won’t choose the prime minister?” Prayut asked rhetorically. “I’m not answering this. There is nothing for now.”

The premier reiterated that the political process would follow the junta’s “roadmap to democracy” with a general election expected to be held in November or December next year, after the completion of 10 organic laws following the new charter’s expected enactment in October or November this year.

Prayut did not disclose what the organic laws would stipulate about politicians, although one of the first laws will deal with political entities.

“I will see how the situation will be before ‘unlocking’ those politicians,” he said, referring to the junta’s current order banning political gatherings of more than four people. “I expect better politics, as well as politicians with the heart to reform.”

The United States and the European Union both expressed concern that the charter drafting and voting processes were not inclusive enough and conducted under restrictions.

“We do remain concerned that the drafting process for the constitution was not inclusive, that open debate was not permitted in the run-up to its adoption,” Elizabeth Trudeau, director of the US State Department’s press office, said.

“Once the results are final, we urge Thai authorities to proceed with the next steps to return Thailand to an elected, civilian-led government as soon as possible,” she said.

“As part of the process to return Thailand to democracy, we strongly urge the government to lift restrictions on civil liberties, including freedom of expression [and] the right to peaceful assembly, so the Thai people can engage in an open, unimpeded dialogue about the country’s political future.”

The EU, meanwhile, expressed its dissatisfaction with the referendum, saying there were serious limitations to fundamental freedoms, including restrictions on debate and campaigning.

The EU continues to call upon Thai authorities to create conditions for a genuine democratic transition leading to early general elections, an EU statement said.

Prayut said he would not explain the process’ legitimacy to foreign parties, which would be done by the Foreign Ministry. “Go ask Thai people and see if they think this referendum is legitimate,”Prayut said. “I’m not explaining anything [to foreigners]. It’s not my job. I’m not making conflicts with anyone.”

Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai urged foreign countries yesterday to respect the decision made by the Thai people. Foreign governments should praise the referendum, he said, added that many countries, notably from Asean, had congratulated Thailand on the success of the referendum.

“Media should ask countries [which expressed concerns] why they don’t understand Thailand, since the majority of voters exercised their right in the referendum,” he said.

The Foreign Ministry would invite foreign diplomats for a briefing to explain the referendum and constitution tomorrow, Don said.

His party will emphasise on the reform of political parties and politicians for the benefits of the country.

People would be more empowered and people’s assembly would be formed.

He was also asked about his connection with now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) that led rally against then Yingluck administration.

Paiboon said that the PDRC members are people who could join the party if they wanted.

Asked whether the party would be open for retired military officers, including junta members, Paiboon said those retired officers are considered normal people who could join the party. However he said he did not think the junta members may not join his party.