The government won’t talk about any alternative to the draft constitution because it does not want to influence voting in August’s referendum, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said on Thursday.
People should not think they have an alternative, because that could prejudice their votes and lead to pressures, Mr Wissanu said.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier complained that the government had not explained adequately what would happen if the constitution failed the referendum, saying if there was no information on the alternative, it would be unfair to voters.
Mr Wissanu said that the regime's current practice was in accordance with international referendum practices.
The deputy prime minister that if the charter does fail the vote, the addition of a second question asking whether appointed senators could take part in voting for a prime minister could be advantageous.
He said the answers would tell writers of a third draft constitution what people wanted and the information would be useful if a new charter must be formulated, Mr Wissanu said.
However, he said, a third draft likely would be based mainly on past constitutions and drafts. However, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has hinted he would write the new version based on his "head and heart".
