BANGKOK, July 23 — His Majesty the King bestowed the approved Interim Constitution on Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), at the Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province at 4.52pm yesterday.
The 17-page Constitution containing 48 sections was published in the Royal Gazette yesterday at 7.40pm.
Interesting sections include Section 35 that bans those convicted or officially found of corruption and electoral fraud from holding a political position and prohibits populist policies.
There is also Section 44 authorizing the NCPO to issue necessary orders with legislative, executive and judicial effect, Section 6 requiring a national legislative assembly with up to 220 members whom His Majesty the King will appoint as the NCPO will propose, and Section 19 by which His Majesty the King will appoint a nominated prime minister.
At 10am today NCPO legal advisor Wissanu Krea-ngam, Gen Paibul Khumchaya, assistant army chief and NCPO head of legal and justice affairs, and ombudsman Pornpetch Wichitcholchai elaborated on the Interim Constitution on television.
Sek Wannamethee, director-general of the Department of Information and spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Provisional Constitution proved to the international community that Thailand is implementing its roadmap and keeping to the timetable of the plan.
