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 Politics
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08 Jan 07 09:44
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Thailand elects chief constitution drafter
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Vipin Wilson
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Bangkok, Jan 8: Thailand's military government has selected the head of the country's Constitution Drafting Council in what is seen as a first step toward restoring democracy after last year's military coup.
Following his election to the council Monday, political science professor Noranit Setabutr said a new draft constitution would be completed within 180 days.
Two other candidates nominated for the same post, Sawat Chotipanich and Charun Pakdithanakul withdrew their candidacies.
Noranit said the new constitution must be acceptable to the Thai public and bring about democracy.
He said that the public did not expect only for the charter to be completed within the set deadline but also expects the new constitution to be democratic and capable of solving political problems.
The constitution drafting assembly president urged the assembly members to also draft the guidelines for a national referendum concurrently with the drafting of the new charter. He said the referendum to approve the new charter should be nationwide, on a single day to be chosen later.
Members of Thailand's military overthrew the government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last September. They accused him of exploiting the old constitution to amass more personal power than his office afforded him.
The coup leaders have promised to hold a general election under a new constitution within a year.
Thaksin is living outside the country while he is being investigated for corruption and abuse of power at home.
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