Why did you accept the position?

Because the National Legislative Assembly extended the honour to me as its representative. Given that, I could not decline.

Secondly, I participated in drafting the 1997 constitution so I have some experience. It's not as if I know nothing about it, which wouldn't be right.

Many see you as a junta man helping it to cling to power. Is this true?

The [current] government, the legislature and the Constitution Drafting Assembly owe their existence to the Council for National Security.

They may be directly or indirectly appointed but it's the same. So I don't get it. We must prove ourselves through our actions.

When I became chairman I told the drafters they must serve the people.

How will you balance the people's opinion of what the charter should be with those of the drafters?

There will be input from the public as well as the drafters. However, this [charter] is for the people. So the view of the majority will be the basis for consideration.

Should future prime ministers be elected or not?

I won't answer because it's my private view. We must listen to the committee and combine that with the view of the public.

If there are stark differences between drafters how will things be decided - by a secret ballot?

We must look at both the positive and negative aspects of the issue at hand and see in whose interest it will be. If it's for the public good or the majority then I will ask them to vote.

Are you worried the referendum may be politicised - a vote for or against the junta and its government? Will you have failed if the charter is rejected?

I can't answer in advance because we have yet to have details and a framework for the charter. We haven't heard what the people have to say yet. If the people understand [the charter] is to serve them, then I believe they will accept it.

This will be the 18th constitution in 70 years. Why don't constitutions last?

It depends on the people who use them. I mean people who assume political power. If they distort the spirit of a constitution through force then it won't last.

Critics believe the new constitution won't last either and will be quickly scrapped.

We're drafting a "permanent" constitution, not an interim one. We must consider the fact that the present situation is not normal, so room must be left for amending the constitution. If it's too difficult to amend then it may end up being scrapped.

As for the [1997] constitution, politicians tore it up five years ago by distortion.

What needs to be done to make citizens' rights part of the political culture?

It's up to whom the charter is drafted to serve. If it serves the majority then people will feel they own it and it will be difficult to do anything against the charter because it belongs to the people.

So, we must really listen to what the majority wants. We can't just draft whatever we like.