At a Phranakhon Rajabhat University seminar, 134 student leaders from 52 universities and colleges issued a joint statement supporting the charter draft.

They said the public-hearing process welcomed student opinions and demands. The statement said the charter should not stipulate a national religion because it could lead to social division.

It suggested the Senate should be elected because it would include representatives from many fields.

DEMOCRAT PARTY :Abhisit denies considering a break

Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon yesterday denied that party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was considering taking a break from politics if the Constitution Tribunal ruled to dissolve the party, saying it might just have been mentioned in casual conversation.

"Abhisit denies the report. It's not an option for now. We'll discuss that after the judges' ruling," Ong-art said.

A high-ranking Democrat source said on Thursday that even if the tribunal's verdict did not ban the party's executives from political activity, Abhisit and some other executives would be reluctant to run in the coming general election or accept any political post.

However Ong-art did not deny the report completely.

"Our members are talking about the case a lot. But I think they were just joking [about a break from politics] because we are confident that our party won't be dissolved," he said.

The verdicts in the electoral-fraud cases against the Thai Rak Thai and Democrat parties are scheduled for May 30.