It [my personal life] would not change. No matter what day it is, it wouldn’t change me. I have been this sort of a person since I was an Army leader. I am happy being with my family – just that and not being bothered with interfering in other people’s lives and business.

I would prepare myself to exercise my voting right in the next general election. I would not go into the monkhood. I have been ordained many times.

Chaturon Chaisang, Pheu Thai key figure and a former education minister

“My role as a politician would be limited and dramatically lessened in the coming years. I would follow up on political situations closely and try to contribute politically to some extent to the country.

“I would be able to contribute to the country in the utmost when our society learns and develops to be a democratic society. I think not until the country faces great difficulties will it be democratic. However, I’m not sure whether we will reach that point [a democratic society] because we would have to be under “a dictatorship regime” for years if the draft passed.

Nipit Intrasombat, Democrat Party deputy leader

As a politician, I feel freedom and democracy would be derogated if this draft passed. I could do little as a representative of the people.

Under this draft, politicians could end up submitting fewer proposals to Parliament. Some projects involving budgets such as digging water-distribution canals, though they are urgent and meaningful to local people, would not be proposed because the politicians would not want to be suspected of attempting to get involved with the budget and corruption.

Also, some proposals could be rejected if they are not in line with national strategies and reform plans.

I feel the value and pride of being the people’s representative would be downgraded. The relationship between local people and politicians would be more distant. The people used to reveal their problems to their representatives and their problems were then fixed. However, under the new course, even though people would still come to tell me their problems, I would not be able to get their problems fixed immediately.

Jon Ungpakorn, a former senator and the director of the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw)

I think I may have to live in an undemocratic country if the draft passed the referendum. The next government would not be different from the current one. We would see the next government listen to the people less. It would also allow an outsider to be a prime minister.

This draft would not be approved by all Thais. People have not been well informed before making a decision to vote yes or no. The charter, I think, would limit people’s freedom and right to assembly. I think I may have to continue fighting for democracy and liberty.

Rangsiman Rome, a key member of the anti-coup group New Democracy Movement

My representative I would select would not have any say in the next government. The next prime minister could be someone the people don’t want. If it [the charter] was passed, I think we could see an uprising. The country’s problems would not have been resolved.

Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Government Spokesman

It [my life] won’t be changed. I was born to be a military man and will carry on my duty as usual. I have done nothing illegal so the draft would not have an impact on me. The constitution is just part of the country’s administration.

Winthai Suvaree, National Council for Peace and Order spokesman

Personally, my life would not be changed. However, the draft directly would benefit the society. With the strict regulation and anti-fraud mechanisms, I think the country would see responsible and respectable politicians. When the administrators are responsible, the country as a whole would be developed.”

Amorn Wanichwiwata-na, Constitution Drafting Commission spokesperson

“If it is approved, I would be proud as I am part of the drafters. I am proud because the draft, in our opinion, is the best version and it is suitable for the country. It is my honour to contribute to such a valuable work for society.

Jatuporn Prompan, United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship [UDD] leader

Just the same, nothing changes.

If it gets approved, it means my anti-draft campaign would have failed. And I would not be a candidate for the next MP election. My stance would not change and I would continue being the leader of the UDD to fight against dictatorship.

Suriyasai Katasila, a former yellow-shirt activist and deputy rector of Rangsit University’s College of Social Innovation

It would not change my life. It would just lead me to further study clauses and the new election method enshrined in the draft.

The draft would change the political structure, but not our society as conflict still persists. I won’t judge whether the new charter is good or bad. It is so-so. Our social context is more complicated than the past. We, however, don’t see the reconciliation road map addressed in the draft.

The conflict between the two political blocs has lasted for more than 10 years. Sadly, this draft has several good points such as regulations and mechanisms to combat graft, but I can’t see the draft solving the conflict.

Akanat Promphan, former spokesperson of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee and former Democrat MP

The constitution does not affect me as one of the PDRC leaders. We, the PDRC, called for the country’s reform and this draft fulfils our request.

It stipulates a strict regulation that could help prevent parliamentary dictatorships [occurring] and powers-that-be who are fraudulent. I think the draft would help the national reform to progress and give us hope.

Sirawith Seritiwat, an anti-coup student activist from the group Resistant Citizen

In a short term, nothing will change. If the draft is accepted, in my opinion, the NCPO will prolong its tenure for another year until a general election is organised. We would revise our anti-dictatorship campaign activities. We would pressure the next government to amend this constitution.