The committee, 10 of whom were directly appointed by the junta, swiftly agreed without any reservation to add a few words that may make the purchase of modern weaponry more "constitutional".

While the now-defunct 1997 constitution stated in its Article 72: "The state shall arrange for the maintenance of the armed forces for the protection and upholding of its independence…," the proposed new charter reads: "The state shall arrange for the maintenance of the armed forces and 'needed modern weapons and adequate technology' for the protection and upholding of its independence..."

When asked by The Nation about the significance of the move, the drafting committee's secretary Somkid Lertpaitoon played down the addition. He said it would depend on respective governments' budget policies and that it would not encourage more military spending because "even without this article they can claim to need new weapons anyhow."

The lack of differing opinion was in stark contrast to the deep opposition against ensuring 12 years of education for Thai youths due to a "lack of money". Indeed, the issue of how many years of free education the state should provide remains unresolved.

Another issue of concern that reached a consensus yesterday was the agreement to vaguely stipulate in the new charter that provincial authorities "will oversee" various elected local administrative bodies.

"Without a framework, actions by elected local bodies may be repetitive and chaotic," said drafter Montree Sri-iam-sa-ad.

"They're so worried about the power of governors," drafter Angkhana Neelaphaijit told The Nation after the proposal was adopted.

Many local elected bodies became instruments of support for the then ruling Thai Rak Thai Party during governments led by Thaksin Shinawatra. Bureaucrats now running the Interior Ministry want some power back.

In a more hopeful development, the drafting committee yesterday agreed to require future governments to listen to the public and disclose information of binding treaties such as free-trade agreements and that it must "heal those affected swiftly, appropriately and justly".

"I feel ashamed that Japan disclosed its FTA agreement with Thailand to its citizens - while Thailand did not," drafter Vicha Mahakhun said.

Another novel idea was to set up a Law Reform Committee that would help modernise Thai laws. The body will be independent of the state but may be placed under the Parliament. The idea will be subject to further discussion. 

Pravit Rojanaphruk 

The Nation