Constitution writers have shot down a proposal that members from the five bodies set up by the junta be banned from politics for two years after the charter takes effect.
They made the decision on Friday, ending the controversy raised by one of its members earlier.
Jade Donavanik floated the idea earlier this week, saying it was only fair that the so-called five rivers stay away from politics since they were involved one way or another with setting the new rules.
The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) on Friday resolved to abide by the interim charter, which applies the ban only to the CDC.
Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, a CDC spokesman, said the CDC defined reform mechanisms under Section 279 of the new charter as a provisional clause.
It requires a new 120-member council comprising members from some of the five bodies be set up after the charter takes effect.
It will consist of 60 members from the NRC, 30 from the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) and 30 specialists. Its duty is to push forward national reform after the new constitution is in force.
If the new government does not follow its advice, it needs to answer to Parliament and the council. If the council thinks an issue is very important and the government does not implement it, the council may vote to put the issue to a referendum with not less three fourths of its existing members. The result will bind both the government and the council.
Another body will also be established called the National Reform Strategy Committee, with no more than 15 members to be appointed by the council.
NRC chairman Thienchay Kiranandana said on Saturday the new council was a good move and should not be viewed as an effort of the five bodies to remain in power.
"Only 60 of the 250 NRC members will stay on in this council to move forward the agenda since reform could not be completed in one year," he said.
A new government will need advice in this area and the new council will not have any power, he added.
"The reason the NRC is chosen is to ensure policy coherence," he added.
But Samart Kaewmeechai, a former Pheu Thai MP for Chiang Rai, said the new council was not necessary.
"It shows the ongoing reform is not successful. It also means they don't trust an elected government. Besides, it could be viewed as an effect to perpetuate its power, judging from the composition.
"I don't think it's necessary. There are already too many committees."
Nipit Intarasombat, a deputy leader of the Democrat party, said the new provision came as no surprise to him.
"I predicted earlier when the NRC's term ends, its members will flock to one of the following. Most of them will become appointed senators, formally called 'indirectly elected senators'. The rest will man a new body to be set up soon. It's clear now the council is this new body.
"I think this is dishonourable. There's no democracy in this world that constitution drafters write in the charter clauses to support their own power," he said.
He added he did not disagree that reform needed to be finished but an elected government should find these members.
"Why don't we find new people to do the job? Isn't it enough for the CDC and NLA to stay on for seven months after the constitution is proclaimed?
"I have nothing against reform but the clause clearly reveals the intention to perpetuate power," he said.
