Draft constitution to be amended under King's request: Thai PM

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

Prayut did not give details but told reporters that the draft constitution will thus be taken back from the Palace for further amendment.

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

Thai government submitted the draft constitution for royal endorsement in early November last year, which is the last process for the draft constitution to be promulgated.

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 Tuesday that they are not postponing the promised general election.

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

(APD)