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Published on August 25, 2007

The publication of the charter in the Royal Gazette completed the promulgation of the country's highest law.

"The 2007 Constitution is promulgated to enshrine perfected popular democracy in order to bring about the elections as soon as possible," National Legislative Assembly Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan said.

Meechai and Constitution Drafting Assembly chairman Noranit Sethabutr were granted a royal audience to present three copies of the charter for royal signatures.

The charter outlines eight aspirations - uphold independence and security, promote every religion, revere the King as head of state and national guardian, embrace democratic rule with the King as head

of state, protect the people's rights and liberties, promote the people's participation in checking state power, ensure the balance of power between the executive and the legislative branches, and safeguard justice dispensed by the judiciary and independent organisations.

"Under the new charter, it is hoped that differing views will not lead to divisions and that everyone will help to bring about reconciliation," Meechai said.

Noranit said he considered his mission for the charter rewrite had come to a successful completion.

"I sincerely hope that the charter will benefit the country and the people," he said.

One of the three charter copies is bound in a gold cover and will be kept at the House Secretariat.

The other two copies are encased in gold and silver alloy and will be kept at the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary and at the Cabinet Secretariat.

All three copies are sealed with four royal insignias representing the present reign.

Each copy has 592 pages with a total of 2,368 lines and weighs seven kilograms.

Eight officials wrote out the provisions in longhand using traditional Thai script and high-quality paper meeting the correct standards of calligraphy.