Meanwhile, other drafters rejected a bid to revive appointed senators, whom they believe would not represent the people as well as elected senators.

Yesterday's session of the 100-member Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) saw a fierce debate on the proposals of the constitution-drafting subcommittee, led by Justice Ministry permanent secretary Charan Pakdithanakul.

"The party-list system opens room for financial backers of political parties to bid for ministerial posts," Sawet Thinnakul said.

"If any of them have more than Bt100 million, they are up to be one of the candidates," he said.

Sawet said he was concerned that the subcommittee's proposal to continue having MPs elected via proportional representation meant the old days of dirty politics would return to haunt the country, and insisted that the party-list system be scrapped.

Lakchai Kittiphon said the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) had confused the people, as opinions gathered through public hearings nationwide showed the people did not want party-list MPs.

He did not understand why the panel chose to brush off the "voice of the people", he said, adding that the people might start to question the drafters' sincerity.

However, Chirmsak Pinthong wanted to keep the party-list MPs because he believed it was a way to help the country via skilled people who were not good at campaigning.

He said the big financial backers would definitely find a way to get into Parliament if they really wanted to be there.

A number of CDA members also disagreed with a proposal to change the Senate from an elected body, as in the defunct 1997 charter, to an appointed one.

Uthit Chuchuey said public hearings conducted by the CDA showed that people wanted senators to be elected, beause they would represent the voters directly.

Watchara Hongpraphas said people wanted elected senators because they would have legitimate power to impeach other politicians who were also elected.