Bangkok: Academics have expressed concerns that the newly approved constitution may take a considerable amount of time to come into effect. They estimate that the process could extend to at least two and a half years before a new constitution is officially in place.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Sathitorn Thananithichot, a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, outlined the procedural steps following the public's approval through a referendum. He stated that the Cabinet, responsible for proposing the referendum question, must now spearhead the drafting of the constitution. This includes the insertion of Article 256/1, which will formalize the drafting process.
Dr. Thananithichot further explained that the drafting process must comply with a series of legal procedures. The proposed draft will undergo parliamentary scrutiny through three readings and must receive approval from the Senate. If successful, a second referendum will be conducted before the drafting begins. Upon its completion, yet another referendum will be necessitated to finalize the process. This multi-step procedure is projected to span at least two and a half years.
He also noted that before addressing the new constitution, other political processes such as the certification of election results, formation of the House of Representatives, selection of a Speaker and Deputy Speaker, appointment of the Prime Minister, and establishment of a new Cabinet must be completed.