First referendum on new constitution expected in Q1 of next year

The first referendum on a new constitution for Thailand is expected to be held during the first quarter of next year, after the formation of a 35-member ad hoc panel tasked with studying how the Constitution should be amended or rewritten and how many referenda will be needed, said Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai today (Tuesday).

Phumtham, who was tasked with recruiting knowledgeable people from various disciplines to form the panel, said that he has scheduled the first meeting, to be chaired by himself, on October 10^th.

He said that he has tried to bring all stakeholder voices onto the panel, including academics, student representatives, members of the business and agricultural sectors, the mass media and the opposition, among others, adding that the Move Forward party is yet to confirm whether it wants to join.

He said that the panel will decide how the Constitution is…