Political parties are not involved in the constitution-drafting process but Chat Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa had points he wants considered, Nikorn explained.

The main point was prime ministers be elected and serve no more than two terms or eight years, he said. The Senate must not be filled by appointment only, he added.

The party wished the 1997 Constitution to be used as a blueprint for the new document.

Chat Thai called on drafters to foresee future problems and prevent them in the charter. This includes checks and balances on power. Nikorn said the 1997 Constitution failed to address this and focused on removing weak political parties.

He said while that charter had provision for amendment after five years, it was never done.

The number of members of Parliament required to bring a censure motion against a prime minister should be reduced.

Chat Thai recommended the number of Election Commissioners be increased. It said the Supreme Court election division should have the right to rule on red and yellow cards issued to election candidates.

In the event of the House being dissolved, Cabinet ministers must be removed immediately and their positions held by ministerial permanent secretaries until replaced by a new Cabinet.

Political parties must play no part in the appointment or removal of independent state agencies.

The party said during elections votes should be counted at individual polling booths.

Those who believed they

had suffered at the hands of political-office holders should be permitted to initiate impeachment proceedings in the Supreme Court without first winning National Counter Corruption Commission approval.

Chat Thai said governments must promote and implement the sufficiency-economy theory.

Party deputy secretary-general Kasem Sorasakkasem called on the Council for National Security to lift the ban on political activity.

He said no party would attempt to oust military leaders in a counter coup.