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 The May 2014 coup ended months of political protests in Bangkok
aimed at ousting a civilian government, since when the junta has
curbed basic freedoms and pushed back the timetable for elections to
2017.
Meechai Ruchupan, 77, chairman of the Constitution Drafting
Committee, said the constitution aimed to solve long-running
problems such as abuse of power by lawmakers, but might not solve
decades-long political divisions.
"If we are to reform the country, we have to use strong medicine,
even if political parties do not agree," Meechai told Reuters in an
interview.
"I can't promise it will be Thailand's last constitution."
A previous draft was rejected in September by a now-defunct National
Reform Council. Some critics called the draft "unconstitutional" and
fear a repeat.
A second failed draft would give the army additional room to prolong
its stay in power, say analysts.
"The difference between this time and last time, however, is there
might be more restlessness on the parts of political parties,
especially if the army fails to show them how they fit into their
long-term governance plans," said Ambika Ahuja, Southeast Asia
analyst at Eurasia Group.
"The army's main goal is still to prolong its stay in power for as
long as possible."
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army chief who led the
2014 coup, has publicly said he does not want to hold on to power
and that the military is working toward restoring democracy quickly.
Getting a new constitution approved in a referendum is a key part of
the junta's "roadmap to democracy" and a 2017 general election. It's
also one of the biggest hurdles for the junta, known as the National
Council of Peace and Order, because if the draft doesn't pass, it
would add to pressure at home and abroad for a quick return to
elections.
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The interim constitution does not say what will happen if the draft
is voted down, leading to more uncertainty.
"I don't know what is going to happen if the charter does not pass,"
said Meechai.
The constitution would be Thailand's 20th in 84 years of often
turbulent democracy.
"Continuous making and remaking of constitutions takes up a lot of
political energy, can cause instability and does not allow political
arrangements to settle," said Sumit Bisarya, Constitution Building
Head of Mission at International IDEA.
For the past decade, Thailand has been locked in a bitter conflict
between the Bangkok-based royalist-military establishment and
supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his
sister, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, and their Puea
Thai Party.
Meechai said the current draft, running at 261 pages, was not aimed
at limiting the influence of the Shinawatra family, which has won
every election since 2001, nor that of any political party.
"If people want to vote for Puea Thai, then they will get the vote,"
he said. "This charter is not designed to be an obstacle to any
political party."
The referendum on the draft constitution is expected in July.
(Additional reporting by Aukkarapon Niyomyat; Editing by Nick
Macfie)
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