Chaturon Chaisang, caretaker leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT), said yesterday the new constitution would most likely undermine the strength of political parties, especially large parties like Thai Rak Thai, and enable the military to extend its rule.

Chaturon criticised junta-appointed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont for earlier saying that the number of MPs might be reduced from 500 to 300 and senators could be appointed. The moves would lead to weak and turbulent politics, warned Chaturon.

"I don't know where the premier got the ideas from. I think he must have received them from someone who lacks understanding. Those in political circles feel that such a direction would destabilise political parties and the political system. The negative result would be that members of parliament could not adequately look after their constituencies," said Chaturon, who added that reducing the number of senators would also add burden to MPs, as the two houses are sometimes required to work together.

What's more, said Chaturon, scrapping the party-list MP system would further destabilise Thai politics, especially TRT, as the idea was intended to reduce the number of the party's MPs. The party-list system was a guarantee that minority voices could get into parliament and it would be unfortunate to scrap the system just because they want to undermine the future of TRT, he said.

For his part, Surayud on Friday said the ideas under discussion were not his personal views but those of some politicians, and some of them were brought up during a discussion with the Election Commission.

Chaturon is not convinced, apparently. "From what I heard there is an attempt to weaken the political party system, to return to an era where money mattered more than policy. Local influential figures will also return to power, despite the fact that their influence has been greatly reduced over the past four to five years. Whatever change they introduce must be based on the understanding of the existing situation and not based on a bias against political parties - otherwise everything will be pushed backward."

He suggested that the new constitution should instead be based on the 1997 constitution. "It shouldn't reach back any further than that," he said. "Otherwise they should simply write down that Thai Rak Thai need not run in any election."

Meanwhile, former charter drafter Kanin Boonsuwan warned that if the current drafters tried to reduce the number of MPs the charter would likely be defeated in the upcoming referendum.

Kanin had three suggestions for the charter writers to bear in mind.

"First, do not take away the power of the people to vote and decide whom they want to represent them. Second, do not destroy democratic principles. And third, do not reduce the power of the people at local administrative bodies.

"I don't think other issues will be decisive for the referendum," he said.