Thai assembly approves new charter, paves way for referendum

BANGKOK - Reuters

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, center, greets upon his arrival at Halim Perdanakusumah Airport in Jakarta, Indonesia Tuesday, April 21, 2015 to attend an Asia-African conference. AP Photo

Thailand's army-dominated national assembly approved amendments to the country's draft constitution at a third reading on June 18, paving the way for a referendum on the newly drafted charter next year. 

Among the proposals in the charter is a clause that allows for an unelected prime minister and for the upper house Senate to be largely appointed. 

Opponents say the charter is a major step backwards for Thailand and will only serve to consolidate the military's hold on power and weaken existing political parties. 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who as army chief came to power in a May 2014 coup, has laid out a 15-month road map involving, among other things, the drafting of a new charter that he says will pave the way for elections sometime in 2016. 

If a referendum is held it could push polls back further. 

Prayuth will now have 15 days to present the draft charter to Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej for approval.