The National Council for Peace and Order will allow provincial debates on the draft charter, hosted by provincial governors and election officials, before the Aug 7 referendum, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said on Thursday.
He was responding to a call on Wednesday by academics, activists and politicians for open talks on the draft charter, the second since the NCPO took over two years ago. It will go to a public referendum on Aug 7.
The first draft constitution was rejected by the military-appointed National Reform Council in September last year.
Asked what the NCPO would do if the draft charter did not pass the referendum, Gen Prawit said the 2014 interim constitution would be amended and the NCPO and the government would decide on the amendment and whether there would be another constitution drafting committee set up.
He said there would be a general election next year as planned.