Anupong: Path to elections remains clear

Anupong: Path to elections remains clear

Suthep Thaugsuban (second left) leads a press conference for the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reforms Foundation on Thursday. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
Suthep Thaugsuban (second left) leads a press conference for the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reforms Foundation on Thursday. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

The government and National Council for Peace and Order will not be deterred by a former protest leader’s call to complete national reforms before holding elections, Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda said Friday.

Gen Anupong said drafting of the new constitution is continuing as planned and will not be derailed by demands by Suthep Thaugsuban, who reaffirmed his belief that reforms must take place before new elections during a press conference Thursday.

Mr Suthep yesterday launched the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reforms Foundation on Thursday, two days after he left the monkhood. The foundation replaces the People's Democratic Reform Committee, which led street protests in late 2013 and early 2014 to oust the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, the prime minister at the time.

Constitutional drafters are expected to submit their final version of the draft charter to the National Reform Council on Aug 21. The NRC will meet on Aug 6 and could set the date for members to decide whether to accept or dump the new law of the land.

New elections could be held in September next year on the condition that the constitution is approved by the NRC and in a public referendum, the Constitution Drafting Committee has said.

NRC member Wanchai Sornsiri, who has campaigned against the new constitution, agreed with Mr Suthep on the need for reforms before people go to the polls.

He repeated his call for the NRC to reject the new constitution and give the junta and government one more year to complete reforms.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (5)