The Foreign Ministry has assured the diplomatic corps the country is on track for next year's election after Thais voted for the draft constitution on Sunday.
Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai was speaking before 80 foreign diplomats and representatives from international organisations and foreign chambers of commerce at the Foreign Ministry Thursday. These included 11 ambassadors and eight charge d'affaires.
Mr Don said that voter turnout in Sunday's referendum was higher than that of the 2007 plebiscite. (He was using absolute numbers. Turnout by percentage dropped last week from 2007.)
Most people voted in favour of the draft and the extra question involving the Senate's power to help select a prime minister, providing clarity to the government's roadmap in moving the country ahead to the election next year, he said.
He said the government attaches great importance to promoting democracy, security and sustainable growth.
Responding to a diplomat who asked whether the regime would lift its order restricting public assembly or freedom of expression, Mr Don said there is a likelihood the order will be eased on condition the country is at peace.
"I hope that all countries take into account the real conditions in Thailand, which is now at peace and moving forward. I hope there will be no other announcements [from foreign countries] and want to ask foreign nations to respect the Thai people's decision," said Mr Don.
Answering a diplomat who appeared surprised by the referendum result, Mr Don said Thais did not want to express their opinions against others who have different views, but instead made their stance clear in the plebiscite.
"This is the identity of Thailand, where armed forces stepped in to solve the problem and the majority of people gave their support," said the minister. "You cannot apply some standards to Thailand because we address the problems in our own ways."
Responding to a Swiss diplomat who asked about the public's participation in the process where organic laws will be drafted, Supachai Yawaprapas, of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), said his agency will sound out views from parties through letters and meetings, adding efforts will be made to listen to their opinions as much as possible.
He said that public participation is important so people have a sense they are connected with this charter and the new political system.
In response to a European diplomat who asked about the time frame for drafting the organic laws, Mr Supachai said the process had already begun.
The process could take some time as public hearings on the matter are also important, he noted.
The drafting of the 10 organic laws must be completed within 240 days of the charter coming into force, he said.
Jade Donavanik, adviser to the CDC, said the committee can heed parties and Thais in parallel with the drafting of the organic laws. There is no clear conclusion on when the process will end, he said.
Meanwhile, Japan welcomed the peaceful nature of the referendum.
"The government of Japan expects the process of restoring democracy, including the election of the parliament, will move forward smoothly under the new constitution approved by this referendum, and that Thailand will continue to contribute to stability and development in the region," foreign press secretary Yasuhisa Kawamura said on Wednesday.