The Constitution Drafting Assembly has requested Bt3 billion from the government to write the charter - Bt2 billion to hold a referendum and Bt1 billion to promote key issues in the re-write.

The public has been urged to participate in the process, initially by answering six key questions, including whether the prime minister should be elected or non-elected.

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said yesterday that over one million people had been asked to answer the six questions.

The other questions are: Should senators be elected or non-elected? Should there be senators, and what role should they play? Should there be party-list MPs and how many of them? Should MPs run under a party's banner or as independents? And should MPs have a bachelor's degree?

Responses can be emailed to www.cppc@thaigov.go.th or sent to Thirapat at Government House or Parliament House or phoned in to (02) 375 4743 or 731 8549~50.

Thirapat said he would also ask Dusit Poll and Abac Poll to survey public opinion on the six points and other issues for the constitution.

Actors, actresses, singers, celebrities, and sportsmen will gather next Wednesday and Thursday at Parliament House to help launch the publicity drive through the broadcast media.

University academics and government agencies that work on public relations will be invited to help out on the campaign.

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation