Referendum may be held to extend incumbent PM’s term of office

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BANGKOK, 8 June 2015 – The Cabinet may submit an amendment proposal calling for a public referendum on whether to extend Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha’s rule.

Prof Sombat Thamrongthanyawong of the political reform committee under the National Reform Council (NRC) said that Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam is in charge of submitting amendments to the 2014 interim constitution.

While it has been widely publicized that an amendment will propose a public referendum, Prof Sombat said it remains uncertain what the referendum will vote on.

He said that a vote would likely be held to approve Thailand’s new constitution, but there has also been talks of a referendum to extend the current administration’s term.

An amendment may be called for a public referendum on whether to allow Gen Prayuth to extend his premiership for another two years, thereby postponing general elections.