Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chairman Borwornsak Uwanno has withdrawn his application to join the Law Reform Commission (LRC) of Thailand amid mounting criticism over an alleged conflict of interest.
Mr Borwornsak said he made the decision to end criticism by politicians and prevent the charter drafting work from being affected.
The LRC, set up about four years ago, recommends improvements to laws which are obsolete or problematic.
However, the CDC has now written Section 282 (3) of the draft charter to give the LRC the added power to ask the National Reform Assembly, which has yet to be set up, to consider changing laws which unnecessarily restrict the freedoms of citizens.
The reform assembly will be created to push through reforms after the next election.
Critics have charged that no charter drafter should write a section giving a body added powers and then proceed to seek a place on that body.
They say doing so could be construed as a conflict of interest.
Mr Bowornsak said the section would be removed from the draft charter.
Speaking about reports that some National Reform Council (NRC) members might also apply for seats on the LRC, he said it is their right to do so.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday defended Mr Borwornsak's right to apply to join the LRC.
He said the draft constitution only bans charter drafters from assuming political positions within two years of leaving office.
The political posts in question pertain to MPs, senators and ministers, he added.
The charter writers can assume positions in agencies, including state enterprises, once the charter drafting process is complete, he said. This case appeared little different.
Mr Wissanu said the term of the LRC members, led by chairman Kanit na Nakorn, expired yesterday.
They will carry on as acting members until their replacements are appointed.
Wattana Muangsuk, a core leader of the Pheu Thai Party, said the National Reform Assembly and the proposed national reform strategic committee would provide leeway for certain people to cling on to power.
He said the National Reform Assembly is designed to have greater power — under the pretext of continuing with reform tasks — than parliament, the cabinet and state agencies.