A national referendum on constitutional amendment is necessary, even though it could cost as much as two billion baht, Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana said on Friday.

Mr Pongthep was responding to a proposal by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that a referendum on charter changes should be held before the third reading of the constitutional amendment bill.

A national referendum would serve to creating confidence among the people that the charter changes would be carried out with their participation, he said.

It would help reduce political conflict,because the outcome would be acceptable to all parties as it would reflect the opinion of the majority of Thai people, he said.

Mr Pongthep, who is also education minister, said that for these reasons the estimated two billion baht cost of a referendum would be worthwhile.

Related search: constitution, amendment, pongthep, referendum