Thailand's interim charter with amendments on regent appointment takes effect

Thailand's interim charter amended to empower the king the right to decide whether to appoint a regent when the monarch is indisposed takes effect on Monday, the Royal Gazette announced.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed the amendments of the fourthly revised 2014 interim charter on Sunday, said the Royal Gazette.

According to the Royal Gazette, whether the country will have a regent in the event that the king is not in the kingdom or unavailable, depends on the king's judgment under Section 3 of the new constitution.

Royal appointment of the regent will be countersigned by the president of the National Legislative Assembly, the Royal Gazette said.

The amendments also allow the prime minister to reacquire the charter after the king's review and amend it as suggested.

King Vajiralongkorn has asked for changes on issues regarding his royal power since Jan. 9.

In order to make those changes, the National Legislative Assembly passed amendments of the interim charter in a vote overwhelmingly on Jan. 13.

After the king endorsed the amendments, the government will form a panel of 10 legal experts to deliberate on the amendments of the new charter.

The current ruling junta has set a roadmap to launch an election in late 2017 or early 2018 as promised.

Local media said the election might probably happen in late 2018. Endit