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Published on July 7, 2007

The Constitution Drafting Assembly yesterday unanimously approved a new constitution designed to boost rights and liberties, prevent runaway power and rectify a flawed political system that triggered a leadership crisis last year.

Ninety-eight assembly members took turns in endorsing the charter during a 10-minute roll call. Two, Pisit Leeahtam and Somchai Saengsuk, were absent on engagements abroad and upcountry respectively.

Since being formed on January 8, the assembly has taken 180 days to complete the charter rewrite amid fiery debate on several contentious issues.

While voting was taking place in the chamber, supporters and opponents of the junta rallied outside Parliament House in last-ditch displays of their positions. Rain poured on the rival camps and prevented tempers from flaring. Each camp numbered in the hundreds.

Following the resounding charter success, assembly chairman Noranit Setabutr

confirmed a referendum date of August 19 and set July 31 as the date for distribution of 19 million copies of the charter for voter scrutiny.

"Between now and August 19 assembly members will have to work together in explaining the charter provisions to the public," Noranit said.

The assembly will hold a seminar on Monday and Tuesday to map out a strategy for members to communicate with voters nationwide, he added.

The new 309-article charter limits the prime minister's term to eight years and makes it easier to launch impeachment proceedings. It also prevents the government head from holding major stakes in media companies and extends financial-disclosure rules to the entire Cabinet and Parliament.

Parliament will be slightly smaller. Seats in the House of Representatives are reduced from 500 to 480 and in the Senate from 200 to 150, with nearly half of upper-house members appointed by a special committee.

Political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak called the charter "anti-political parties and anti-politicians".

"It's a retribution for the Thaksin years," he said, referring to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas will help the assembly charter-awareness campaign. He warned of continuing political conflict if the draft failed the national vote.

"The general election can take place only if the new constitution passes the referendum, otherwise political turmoil will never end," he said.

He said he would not force people to form opinions but plead with them to decide for themselves whether to move on under democratic rule or to remain trapped in a political quagmire.

He made an inspection trip to Ubon Ratchathani and encouraged villagers to vote in the referendum.

The Army has instructed its forces deployed across the country to raise awareness of the new constitution.

"Army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin ordered every Army Area [Command] to publicise the charter to residents," deputy spokeswoman Colonel Sirichan Ngathong said.

Sirichan quoted Sonthi as saying he wanted the charter publicity to highlight a key message, that new provisions protected people's rights and liberties better than past versions.

Matchima group leader Somsak Thepsuthin said he would campaign for a successful referendum even though he had some reservations about the rewrite.

"I support the holding of a general election because the restoration of an imperfect democracy is better than no democracy," he said, adding that he would explain to his constituents that flawed provisions could be amended by the elected government.

Based on a straw poll conducted by Matchima, about 78 per cent of eligible voters disagree with the anti-coup rally aimed at suppressing the charter. The demonstration at Sanam Luang was organised by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship.

Campaigns are already under way to defeat the CDA charter at the referendum.

Advocacy group Midnight University runs a website aimed at convincing people to "vote no".

Rector Somkiart Tangmano said he would mount a campaign against adopting the charter.

Thaksin's allies said they were determined to shoot down the new constitution.

"We will work together with other groups of activists to educate people and convince them to reject the draft," said Surapong Suebwonglee, spokesman for Thai Rak Thai Group, the reincarnation of the former ruling party, ordered dissolved in May.

"This draft is less democratic than the 1997 charter," he said.