The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) has expressed concern that many academics are opposing the charter draft for the sake of venting anti-coup sentiment.

"Some prominent academics appear to be imagining that any junta-sponsored draft cannot be accepted," CDA member Chirmsak Pinthong said yesterday. He was speaking in reaction to the statement released yesterday by academics rejecting the draft and calling for "no" votes in the September referendum.

"Should these academics opt to innocently express their academic view against the coup, they should also point a way for the country to move forward," he said.

Chirmsak urged opponents of the draft to review it before judging it.

"I understand that it is impossible for the draft to please everyone but all citizens should at least read through the draft before making their decision on whether the document as a whole is acceptable or not," he said.

Chirmsak said many draft provisions were designed to rectify flaws detected in the 1997 Constitution.

He warned the public that outright rejection of the draft would pave the way for the junta to impose a new political system without the people having any say on the matter.

Chirmsak said the CDA was willing to heed critiques and revise the draft provisions to best reflect the people's aspirations, he said.

With regard to two highly contentious issues - the future of the Senate and the voting system to elect MPs - he said the CDA would push for revised provisions in line with popular demands. The CDA would reject the idea of the appointed Senate and offer two alternatives - the mixed system of screening Senate candidates before the voting or the disbanding of the Senate to usher in a unicameral legislature, he said.

For the House elections, the CDA would "discard the party-list system completely and allocate 400 House seats via the direct vote," he said.

Yesterday saw the launch of a campaign by academics to reject the constitution draft. A group of 76 academics from the Central Region and several activists from Midnight University in Chiang Mai organised the launch on behalf of their peers from across the country.

The activists distributed lime green ribbons and flags as their official symbol of opposition to the junta and the draft constitution sponsored by it.