Name of CDC chief expected to be known next week

BANGKOK, Oct 3 (TNA) -- The name of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) chief is expected to be known next Monday while Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha feels uneasy following reports that legal expert Meechai Ruchupan has accepted the post, said a spokesman of the Prime Minister’s Office. Reports that Mr Meechai has accepted the CDC chief post have spread like wild fire after a closed door meeting on Friday between Gen Prayut and Mr Meechai at the Government House, said the spokesman, adding that the latter is in fact considering whether he should accept the post. The prime minister feels that the report would automatically pressure Mr Meechai, said the spokesman. He did not ask Mr Meechai to say ‘Yes’ during the discussion on Friday. According to the spokesman, members of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) are scheduled to hold a meeting next Monday and Mr Meechai who is also its member is expected to give his answer on that day because the current interim charter specified that Gen Prayut in his capacity as NCPO chief must appoint a new set of CDC members within 30 days after the previous drafted constitution was rejected. Previous drafted charter was rejected by NRC members on September 6, forcing the NCPO to select new members of the draft charter. Also, NCPO members are expected to appoint members of the National Reform Steering Assembly next Monday during their meeting. (TNA)