The assembly also supported a move that enables police to search suspects without a court warrant.

Removal of the words "death penalty" does not automatically mean an end to the death penalty, but future moves to end it will face fewer obstacles.

"It's good that the capital punishment issue has been adjusted [out of the charter] as it reflects the thinking of a society that doesn't resort to violence," said CDA member Kannika Bantherngjit.

"We should no longer resort to an eye for an eye and should look at the real cause of crime. Strong punishment is not right. It leads to society solving problems by force."

The debate on whether police officers need a warrant to search suspects was more heated.

"I have received complaints that most police can't perform their work when it comes to search warrants. It costs time, money

and petrol. An arrest needs a warrant, as well as imprisonment

[of suspects] but searching should not need a court warrant," said CDA member Pol Maj-Colonel Thammanit Pitanilabutr.

Those against the authorisation of searching without a warrant were outraged, however.

"There have been attempts to plant evidence and bring false charges, so a court warrant is vital," said charter drafter and CDA member Angkhana Neelaphaijit.

"You may recall that a Chulalongkorn University student was framed by police with meth-amphetamine. He was taken into police custody for nearly a week with no permission to see his family. He was almost expelled."

The assembly approved Article 40, which includes an assurance that "children, minors, females, the handicapped and the permanently infirm shall be suitably protected during criminal procedure".

Pravit Rojanaphruk,

Sathien Wiriyapanpongsa

The Nation