EU Called on to Take 'Stringent Action' Over 'Fake' Thailand Constitution

BRUSSELS, September 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

The rejection of a controversial new "fake" constitution in Thailand has triggered demands for the European Union to take "stringent action" in its opposition to the country's ruling military junta. 

Thailand's military-appointed National Reform Council (NRC) rejected a new constitution in a vote on Sunday, a result that pushes back the junta's time-frame for an election to April 2017 at the earliest while a new charter is written.

The constitution, which would have been Thailand's 20th in 83 years, was rejected by 135 members of the NRC and approved by just 105. There were seven abstentions.

The 'No' vote means the process of drafting another constitution will start again, delaying any election until 2017 at the earliest.

One of the thorniest issues was a late addition to the draft, the creation of a National Committee on Reform and Reconciliation Strategy which would be dominated by the military, allowing it to exercise power over the executive and legislative branches in any "crisis".

NRC member Sangsit Phiriyarangsan, who voted to pass the charter, said he believed it was voted down because of a desire to postpone elections.

According to the junta's own rules, it must now establish a new constitutional drafting committee within 30 days which will have 180 days to write a new charter. The new constitution, however, will not be subject to a vote by the NRC but instead be submitted directly to a referendum.

Thailand is currently using an interim constitution drafted last year which gives sweeping unchecked powers to the junta led by former army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The vote comes at a time of increased instability in the country, including a badly faltering economy, last month's terrorist outrage in Bangkok that killed 20 people and the health of 87-year-old King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

The Pheu Thai party, ousted from power last year, described the constitution as "totally disregarding the sovereignty of the Thai people".

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Colin Stevens, +32-(0)2-791-76-91