Thailand military council rejects constitution

The constitution drafters had hoped the proposed charter would move Thailand past almost a decade of political conflicts, but it was met with strong opposition on all sides of the political divide.

The rejection set a tentative plan for Thailand's transition to electoral democracy back until at least 2017, with the military retaining substantial powers until a new constitution is finally drafted.

The Thai legislature, known as the National Reform Council, voted 135 to 105 against the new constitution, with seven abstentions. The National Reform Council, along with the National Legislative Assembly and Constitution Drafting Committee, was created by the military junta when it took over power in a coup in May 2014.

The council is now to be disbanded, and the constitution-drafting process will have to start over with new committees yet to be appointed. A new 21-member drafting committee will be entrusted with writing a new charter within 180 days, which will need approval by the legislature and will be put to a referendum.

Elections aren't likely to take place until at least 2017, if the next draft is successfully approved. The government had previously said elections could take place late next year.

Draft included provisions for military intervention

The draft included the establishment of a committee comprised of the commanders of the army, navy, air force and national police, and a panel of experts, which would have been allowed to intervene in politics at any time of "national crisis."

The draft also envisioned an upper house that would only be partially elected - 123 out of 200 members were to be appointed. A prime minister would also have been appointed without having to win a parliamentary seat.

Many politicians and activists criticized these aspects of the proposal as undemocratic.

A history of failed constitutions - and governments

The new charter appeared to be aimed at preventing a political comeback by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in 2006 after being accused of corruption and disrespect for the king. Thailand has remained divided since, with Thaksin supporters and opponents struggling for power at the ballot box and in the streets, sometimes violently.

The previous 2007 constitution was also drafted by a junta-appointed council but was approved by public referendum. It was annulled after the latest coup. The country is currently using a 2014 interim constitution drafted by the military junta.

Thailand has undergone 12 successful military coups since 1932.

ss/bk (AP, dpa)