The Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) is under intense pressure after receiving the military regime's controversial charter proposal which has been criticised as a "coup in disguise".
The element drawing attention is the proposal for a fully-appointed Senate during a five-year transitional period and the appointment of military top brass to sit in the Upper House.
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CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan has managed to ward off questions about the controversial proposal in recent days, saying the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) had not formally submitted its suggestions and the CDC did not know exactly what changes the regime was seeking.
The NCPO proposal calls for the CDC to introduce an appointed Senate during the five-year post-election transition to full democracy and to reserve six seats for military top-brass who are not currently NCPO members.
Several critics call the junta's proposal a "coup in disguise" against a not-yet-elected government because the proposal also seeks to allow appointed senators to hold a no-confidence debate against the government.
Mr Meechai said Wednesday the charter writing body will consider the proposal on Monday. He pointed out that it does not matter who initiated the proposal, and that the CDC would go along with it if it has merit.
"If the CDC believes the proposal will have drawbacks, we won't back it," said Mr Meechai when asked who would be to blame if the NCPO proposal, once put into practice, backfires.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon defended the proposal, saying that it is not a coup in disguise but is instead designed to prevent a coup.
He also defended the appointment of military and police top brass as senators.
"Once appointed, they will have to work with elected MPs in parliament," he said.
CDC spokesman Udom Rathamarit said the CDC had decided to "sleep on the proposal" for up to a week to listen to feedback. He maintained the panel will make a decision based on what is best for the public.
He said Mr Meechai is expected to declare and explain the CDC's decision on the regime's proposal himself.
"This issue is huge. But CDC success will also be measured by the people's satisfaction, not only the NCPO's. If the charter is rejected at a referendum, what we've done will be considered a failure," he said.
The CDC is revising the draft constitution based on feedback from stakeholders and it has to submit the final version to the government by March 29. A referendum is likely to take place in August.
Democrat Party deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat has decried the NCPO proposal to give the Senate the right to hold a censure debate against an elected government, calling it extreme. He said the proposal lacks democratic principles and that it will weaken the government.
"I don't think Mr Meechai will go along with such an extreme proposal," he said.
"If he does, he risks his reputation. If Gen Prayut wants to prolong his stay, so be it. He shouldn't push for this kind of constitution. It's an embarrassment."
Key Pheu Thai figure, Watana Muangsook, said the proposal is designed to keep a certain political party at bay and if the CDC goes along with it, democracy will be suspended for another eight years.
"I can tell you what a new government will look like. We'll have a coalition government but the political party that wins most votes will be in opposition," he said.
"We'll have a non-elected prime minister but we are all familiar with him. This will be around for two consecutive terms, or eight years."
Chavalit Wichayasut, Pheu Thai's acting deputy secretary-general, said he will not back the charter draft.
He said the NCPO should have saved time and resources by telling the CDC what to write in the new constitution.
However, several National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) members welcomed the proposal.
Seree Suwanphanont, a member of the NRSA committee on politics, said he does not think the proposal gives an appointed Senate "too much" power.
Instead the government will come under intense scrutiny.
"And appointing top brass as senators is necessary in terms of security concerns. It is not about prolonging power," Mr Seree said.
