The Pheu Thai Party is calling on the Election Commission (EC) to hold more public forums on the draft charter, while a rival Democrat Party member is demanding amendments to the referendum law to allow people to talk about the pros and cons of the draft.
Anusorn Iamsa-ard, Pheu Thai acting deputy spokesman, said there should be more groups like the EC-sponsored session held on Wednesday so that more people can share their opinions on the draft charter without restrictions.
Representatives of more than 50 parties and political groups took part in the EC forum to explain the draft charter and the Aug 7 referendum. Held at the Army Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, the forum was seen as a move to ease restrictions banning them from speaking out and to allow them to air their views on the draft charter.
Mr Anusorn said the EC should organise more of such forums and if possible hold them in provinces across the country.
Mr Anusorn noted, however, that the forums should have wider participation from people in order to prove the government's sincerity in opening up a free flow of ideas about the draft.
He also questioned if the forum was held because the government was under pressure or because it wanted to really hear the views of political parties and groups.
Democrat member Wirat Kanlayasiri said understanding the charter is key to voters' decisions in the referendum and more charter forums should be held to make sure people understand it.
He also called on the government to revise the Referendum Act so that people can discuss its flaws as well as its strengths.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam yesterday expressed satisfaction with the friendly atmosphere of the charter forum while pledging to consider the proposals and opinions aired.
Mr Wissanu said the suggestions made by political parties and groups were considered as being directed at the EC and the government. They would be processed and submitted to the prime minister and the National Council for Peace and Order.
The deputy premier said future forums on the charter draft attended by academics are expected to proceed in a friendly manner. However, he noted that there remained several issues related to the draft charter which participants in Wednesday's session do not understand. Participants wanted to know what constituted violating the referendum law.
Thawip Netniyom, secretary-general of National Security Council, said critics of the charter can voice their opinions as long as they do not break the Referendum Act. He said authorities will keep a close watch on certain groups that deliberately try to challenge the law in a bid to disrupt order as the run-up to the referendum begins.
Meanwhile, National Legislative Assembly (NLA) member Somjet Boonthanom has reportedly advised election offices to take note of draft charter contents that are opposed by critics taking part in charter forums.
The NLA is touring the provinces to "educate" people about the second question in the referendum, which asks people whether an appointed Senate should join MPs in selecting a prime minister during a five-year transition to full democracy after the general election expected next year.