Thailand unveils post-coup draft constitution
Posted: 19 April 2007 0343 hrs

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BANGKOK : Thailand on Wednesday unveiled the first draft of its new constitution, which its authors insist will prevent graft and guide the kingdom back to democracy following last year's coup.

The proposed charter contains new clauses addressing corruption and abuse of power, key reasons given for the putsch that overthrew billionaire businessman-turned-premier Thaksin Shinawatra last September.

"The draft constitution aims to fully restore democracy and organise national elections within 2007," the Constitution Drafting Council said in a statement after releasing the charter on its website.

"The 1997 constitution created monopolies, abuse of power, lacked transparency, and created a lack of ethics in politics."

The new charter, which if approved will replace the 1997 version and become Thailand's 18th constitution, will now face public debate and possible revision before a referendum scheduled for early September.

The ruling military has promised elections for December.

Analysts say the charter will be closely scrutinised for signs that the generals, who tore up the previous constitution after their bloodless putsch, are trying to cement their role in political life.

One of the more controversial clauses states that the Senate will be appointed -- rather than elected as it was in the 1997 charter.

The number of senators is to be cut to 160 from 200, while the number of parliamentarians will be reduced to 400 from 500.

The charter states that the prime minister must be an elected lawmaker, quashing speculation there may be a provision for an appointed premier, as suggested by military chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

However, in a break from the 1997 version, the constitution released Wednesday restricts the prime minister to two terms, or eight years, in office.

"It is the first time in a constitution that the prime minister can hold only two consecutive terms ... once they stay in power too long, their power will corrupt them," said Tongthong Chandransu, one of the 35 charter drafters.

The military has said that a new charter is needed to prevent the corruption they claim marred Thaksin's government, and a number of new checks and balances have been injected into the proposed constitution.

It states that 100 MPs can sponsor a motion to remove the prime minister or other senior government figures from office if there is evidence of corruption. In the 1997 version, 200 lawmakers were needed to impeach a premier.

The charter also states that a lawmaker or prime minister is automatically removed from office if found guilty of corruption in a criminal or civil court.

The constitution does not specify Buddhism as the national religion, despite pressure from Buddhist activists.

The unveiling comes amid increasing opposition to the ruling military and the government it installed, with allies of Thaksin leading small but growing protests.

Activists have also attacked the charter drafting process, which took place largely behind closed doors by 35 people picked by the junta.

Political parties complain they have been locked out of the process by a military ban on their activities, which they say will prevent them campaigning for or against the charter in the September referendum.

The military says that if the public rejects the charter, the generals will simply impose a constitution of their choosing.

- AFP /ls