The idea for the ban came up yesterday during a session of Chuchai Supawong's subcommittee in charge of constitutional provisions relating to rights and liberties.

"The ban, if approved, will cover every level of political appointment from Cabinet members and their aides to government-appointed committee members," subcommittee chairman Chuchai said.

Among other proposals to enhance media freedom, charter writers might adopt a constitutional clause prohibiting the government from shutting down newspapers or broadcast outlets, he said.

In regard to labour disputes, the authorities will be banned from using force to crack down on workers' strikes, he added.

Meanwhile, youth members of the Drafting Constitution Congress are running a website for brainstorming about the Constitution among student groups.

 Chartchai Sangsuk and Saknarin Khuanon said the www.c4fclub.net website will allow students from over 162 universities to give opinions on the draft constitution.

 Chartchai said all of the ideas put forward would be submitted to the Constitution Drafting Committee.