It was also agreed that measures should be included in the new constitution to prevent conflicts of interest by the prime minister and other Cabinet members.

The new charter should make it easier for a prime minister to be grilled in a parliamentary censure debate, and any Cabinet member should be stripped of his or her position even if he or she faces a suspended jail sentence.

Those were among the proposals raised during separate discussions of about 120 military and police officers at a seminar on a suitable constitution from the armed forces' point of view.

Yesterday was the second day of the three-day event being held at the Ambassador City Jomtien hotel in Pattaya, organised by the Council for National Security's Secretariat.

Reporters were allowed to observe the discussions.

To prevent political interference into independent organisations, participants of the seminar also proposed that a system be developed to allow internal inspections among the independent agencies.

Vice Admiral Samart Jampeerat, who chaired the discussion on public participation and power distribution, said the public should be given a bigger role and more power in scrutinising governing politicians, such as initiating impeachment proceedings.

Panya Thiewsangwan

The Nation