Former street protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has announced he will throw his full weight behind the constitution draft, saying it strikes the right note with the group's calls for national reforms.
His announcement came the same day that his group's rival, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), announced it will oppose the draft charter and called for the United Nations and European Union to observe the referendum.
Mr Suthep, leader of the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reform Foundation, called in the media Sunday to say he backed the draft charter, which will be put to a national referendum on Aug 7.
The group, in its old guise as the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), launched major street protests against Yingluck Shinawatra's administration and paved the way for the May 22, 2014 coup. It's the first time the group has declared its stance on the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) draft overseen by Meechai Ruchupan.
Meanwhile, the government issued a 21-page regulation (PDF, Thai language only) on what is allowed and banned during pre-referendum campaigning on the draft constitution.
Mr Suthep said he is extremely pleased with the draft, particularly with its acknowledgement of the country's political landscape and crisis, and the need to have mechanisms to deal with any crisis that may arise.
Several charter provisions also reflect the PDRC's proposals for reform in the five areas of politics, bureaucracy, corruption, social and economic disparities, and police and law enforcement, he said.
"Personally I am exceptionally pleased with this draft, starting with the preamble. It reflects the public's spirit of embracing the constitutional monarchy. Some countries don't get it and are misinformed that we don't like democracy."
"As for reforms, the charter draft calls for a national strategic plan that sets out directions for reform by engaging the people in the process. It also sets out a time frame and specifies who should do what and when. People have a high expectation of police reform and the charter requires that to be implemented within a year of the charter's enforcement," he said.
Mr Suthep also agrees with the provision on the nomination and the voting process for the prime minister, saying it is unprecedented but there is nothing to be worried about.
The proposal has been widely criticised as an attempt to open the way for a non-MP outsider to be elected prime minister.
Referred to as the three-candidate rule, the clause requires parties contesting a general election to nominate three candidates each for prime minister before a general election. The House of Representatives will choose the prime minister from among those candidates.
"Be it an insider or outsider, at the end of the day it is the MPs who get to pick the prime minister," he said.
Mr Suthep said he has no objection to the provisional clauses that allow an appointed Senate, with 250 members serving a five-year term during the transition period to full democracy.
The political situation after the general election is unpredictable and the appointed Senate could help avert political unrest, he said.
The group's stance was widely expected, according to political observers. In September last year, Mr Suthep came out in support of the draft charter prepared by the Borwornsak panel, saying it was "good enough" to pass a referendum. But the draft was rejected by the now-defunct National Reform Council (NRC) in a vote.
The former Democrat heavyweight said his view is at odds with that of the Democrat Party, which is opposed to the draft charter.
Meanwhile, red-shirt UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan called on the Election Commission (EC) to spell out what can and cannot be done following enforcement of the referendum law.
Mr Jatuporn said critics of the charter draft need to be assured their rights to freedom of expression will not be curtailed by the referendum law, as it may create a climate of fear.
He said the legislation bans remarks on the draft that are "aggressive, rude, violent and threatening", which are far too broad. He said people should not go to the referendum fearful.
He also urged the military government to invite international bodies such as the United Nations or the European Union to observe the referendum for the sake of transparency.
Mr Suthep kicked off the newest round of the political wars on Sunday with a statement he and the Muan Maha Prachachon for Reform Foundation back the military's proposed new constitution. (Photo via Facebook, KhingAkanat)
UDD key member Tida Thawornseth also took advantage of the occasion to outline what would happen if the charter was accepted.
One possible scenario, encouraged by the draft, is the new government would be made up of several parties. It would have trouble implementing its policies without consent from the Constitutional Court and public independent agencies, she predicted.
"We are urging the people to consider carefully and make sure the referendum reflects reality without the outcome being imposed by state power," Ms Tida went on to say.
The EC will meet today to discuss guidelines on free speech before the referendum, including those activities which might violate the referendum law and the National Council for Peace and Order's ban, said a source close to the poll body.