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BANGKOK : Thailand's military-appointed constitution drafters are set to vote on a host of controversial issues.
They include whether or not to make Buddhism the kingdom's official religion and the possibility of an appointed prime minister.
Channel NewsAsia finds out what Thais think of some of the proposed changes.
When Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont announced plans for general elections in December less than a week ago, Thais were happy to have a road map back to democratic rule.
But the 35 members of the Constitution Drafting Committee may place a detour into the new charter - a provision for an unelected, appointed prime minister.
One Thai said: "I disagree (with an appointed PM). An appointed prime minister might be partisan. It is just not democratic."
Another Thai added: "I totally disagree with an appointed prime minister. Actually elections that do not represent all the people should not take place. We should have elections like America."
But analysts say this will most likely not become a point of contention.
Assistant Professor Tithiphan Chuerboonchai, Faculty of Law at Chulalongkorn University, said: "It is quite clear that the prime minister will come from an elected person, an elected MP, so there is no issue on this anymore. Only the exception which is still under consideration would be in the situation when the House was dissolved."
Also on the table is the creation of an ad-hoc council that could assume power in times of political crisis.
Critics see such a body as tantamount to a way for the military council to rule by proxy.
Another sticking point is making Buddhism the kingdom's official religion, even as a Muslim insurgency in south Thailand continues to grow more violent each day.
A Thai man said: "There is no need to have an official religion in the constitution. It will limit people's freedom. You cannot tell people to follow a national religion. Buddhism is a liberal religion anyway."
A Thai lady said: "Muslims might take offence. There is already conflict in the south with religious roots. "
Prime Minister Surayud's recent hospitalisation has only heightened the political temperature in the capital which saw rallies in support of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra gathering strength.
It couldn't be worse timing for the military-appointed government as public opinion continues to fall and rumours swirl that the prime minister will resign and plunge the kingdom into further political instability.
After the first draft of the new charter later this month, the public will be able to participate in the process. But whether their opinions will be taken into account remains to be seen.
However, their vote will matter as Thailand's first referendum in September will ultimately determine the fate of this latest Constitution. - CNA/de
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