The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has recommended that parliament considers putting on hold the draft amendment to the anti-corruption law that seeks to give more power to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).
The recommendation comes after the National Legislative Assembly's (NLA) sub-committee, which was set up to scrutinise the draft amendment, sent a letter to the CDC asking it to check whether the proposed amendment is in line with the charter.
The issue stems from seven sections of the amendment that seek to increase the NACC's power to help it combat graft. One of the seven sections authorises NACC investigators to search premises.
The draft was forwarded by the NACC last year without prior examination by the cabinet or its legal adviser, the Council of State.
The NLA set up a panel to examine the draft to make sure it does not infringe on the rights of others before the draft was put on the NLA agenda.
CDC spokesman Kamnoon Sidhisamarn said the charter drafters have agreed the amendment draft should be put on hold because the CDC has yet to finalise its work with the anti-graft agency. The CDC's recommendation covers the seven sections, Mr Kamnoon said.
Some of the proposals may not be in line with the new charter and if that is the case, the anti-graft law will need revision after the new charter takes effect, he said.
According to political observers, the NACC may choose to withdraw the entire draft amendment and resubmit it in two drafts. One of the drafts could cover all of the contentious seven sections.
However, the source said the NACC may choose not to withdraw the amendment draft but allow the NLA to suspend its consideration until the CDC has finalised its work on the NACC's part.
The draft amendment has 28 sections. Other proposed changes include a life-time ban for politicians who submit false asset declarations or who fail to declare their assets.