The referendum vote, which is scheduled to be held on August 7, is likely to shape the Southeast Asian nation's political landscape for decades to come.

But the contentious draft - which was formulated by the military government under the leadership of Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha - has drawn a lot of criticism from activists like Sunai Phasuk, who works for Human Rights Watch in Thailand.

Talking to DW at the German parliament in Berlin, Sunai said: "Thailand is at a critical point," adding that "it would be too late if the course of events was not stopped."

While the new constitution should facilitate Thailand's return to democracy, human rights experts fear adoption of the draft in its current form will prolong army rule and thwart the country's democratic development for years.

That is because the presented charter contains provisions for a new senate where the military junta would appoint all 250 members, leaving six seats open for the heads of the armed forces.

This appointed senate would check the powers of lawmakers during a five-year transitional period following the first elections. In addition to an appointed senate, the draft also includes a path for a parliament-selected premier.

 

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