Prasong, 79, who is close to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda and once associated with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), beat Akaravit Sumawong, vice president of the Supreme Administrative Court, by 18 votes to 17 in a secret ballot.

The close margin has raised questions about how deeply divided the 35 drafters are.

Prasong once served as adviser to the PAD, which last year led a nationwide campaign against then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. It was a catalyst for his government's downfall.

Prasong, who is viewed by critics as the hand-picked man of the Council for National Security (CNS), was quick to try to allay growing concerns about the independence of the drafters. He told reporters not to worry.

Prasong said the constitution drafters would put people's rights, participation and liberty, plus the creation of independent monitoring organisations, at the heart of the new charter.

"Everything should be better than the old [constitution]," he said. "I don't think that any of the 35 drafters want the new constitution to be regressive. We know that the people are worried."

Prasong denied there was any attempt to control the vote. "We can work together. And I'm not worried [of being accused of being a CNS man]," he said.

Charan Phakdithanakul, who is permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry, pulled out of the race before the ballot. He said he was less senior than other nominees.

Sattra Toaon, a law lecturer at Rangsit University, said he did not think Prasong was suitable for the job, given the fact that he had close connections with the military.

Drafter Angkhana Neelaphaijit, told The Nation she had received numerous phone calls by people urging her to vote for Prasong, and said she disapproved of the secret vote method, required under rules set for them by the junta.

"This is not a nice picture [for the public]. Everything went very fast and I would like the public to keep a close eye," Angkhana said, adding that she could only count five drafters out of 35 as being truly independent.

Another drafter, Thanaboon Chiranurat, insists there was a whip - lobbying for votes - but it was a bloc vote against Prasong and had failed to materialise.

"They tried a bloc vote but it cracked," said Thanaboon, who counted himself among the 18 who voted for Prasong.

Thanaboon was among the 10 drafters handpicked by the CNS under another rule set by the junta.

"But I have my own thinking and I'm not a water buffalo. I won't allow anyone to lead me," Thanaboon, a Rangsit University law lecturer with a staunch anti-Thaksin reputation.

Akaravit, along with Charan, Wicha Mahakhun and Chuchai Suphawong were selected as vice chairmen of the CDC, while Thammasat University law lecturer Somkit Lertpaiboon is the secretary. Four speakers were appointed, including Tongthong Chandrangsu.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation