Thai's military-appointed council rejects new constitution

BANGKOK: Thailand's military-appointed reform council on Sunday shot down a controversial new constitution drafted after last year's coup, delaying return of democracy to the country in the grip of political turmoil. The 247-member National Reform Council rejected the draft charter by 135 votes to 105, with seven abstentions. As a result of the draft charter being voted down, the National Reform Council's term will end and a new 21-member constitution drafting committee will be set up. It will have 180 days to draft a new charter. After the new drafting committee finish its work, a new draft constitution will be put for a public referendum in four months. The military abolished previous constitution after it toppled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra last year after months of political unrest, and the government functions under a temporary charter. The junta later appointed the 247-member National Reform Council to help write a new constitution. The military government retains its substantial powers until a new constitution is drafted. The rejection would delay Thailand's transition to electoral democracy. The government had previously said elections could take place in mid 2016, but analysts now say elections aren't likely until 2017. The rejection of the draft charter was expected following heavy lobbying during the past week, reportedly by NRC members closely linked to the military, Bangkok Post said. In the voting process, council members were called up by their names alphabetically to declare verbally to "approve" or "reject" the draft constitution.