Thai draft constitution to be amended on King's request: PM

Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, through his privy council, has requested that provisions of a draft constitution regarding royal powers be amended, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday.

Prayut did not give details but said the draft constitution will thus be taken back from the palace for further amendment, Xinhua news agency reported.

He said the overall process for the amendment would take about two to three months to complete.

The Thai government submitted the draft constitution for royal endorsement in early November last year, which is the last process for its promulgation.

The draft constitution was passed in a referendum in August last year, which was a part of the ruling junta's road map to a general election that was promised to be held later this year.

Prayut said on Tuesday that the junta is not postponing the promised general election.

"The election will be held after the royal cremation of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and coronation of King Vajiralongkorn. We will have a new government in 2018 anyway," Said Prayut.

--IANS

py/vt