Activist abbot Buddha Isara said on Friday that he would gather at least 50,000 signatures to support holding a referendum to determine if national reform should be implemented for two years, and the general election would then follow.
The abbot of Wat Or Noi in Nakhon Pathom province, who led protests against the Yingluck Shinawatra government in 2013 and 2014, announced his intention at the parliament on Friday.
He wanted national reform to precede elections, a stand that echoed the feelings of some national reform councillors. If the reform takes place first, the Prayut Chan-o-cha government that succeeded Ms Yingluck's after the May 22, 2014 coup by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would remain in office pending the reform process.
"I do not think that the NCPO plans to remain in power for good. Personally, I see the intention of this government being to bring peace to the nation before the next general election. If an election is called amid abnormal circumstances it will again lead to problems," abbot Buddha Isara said.
The abbot showed up on Friday to ask the Constitution Drafting Committee to ensure the people retain the power to check on politicians' performance under the new constitution.
His reform-first stance was in response to call on Thursday by some national reform councillors who advocated completing reforms before the next election, and for the issue to be decided by a referendum.
Prime Minister Prayut said the people should decide whether the tenure of his government should be extended pending completion of national reform goals.