Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej adopted an ordinance on the establishment of the new National Reform Council on October 6, which will operate as a temporary parliament in charge of reforming politics and writing a new national constitution.

Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej

The Council comprises 250 members, including businesspeople and experts with different backgrounds and political orientations. The list of selected members was submitted to the King for approval.

The Thai military abolished the previous constitution after seizing power on May 22, with the government currently operating under a temporary charter.

The new constitution is scheduled to be issued in July 2015.

Thailand’s military-government said the reform process will lead to elections next year.

Thailand has suffered from political instability since 2006, when an earlier military coup ousted Thaksin Shinawatra on allegations of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect towards the King. Supporters and opponents of Thaksin struggled for power at the ballot box and in the streets, sometimes violently.

In May, the army said it needed to seize power from an elected pro-Thaksin government to restore order after half a year of anti-government protests and political turmoil that left at least 28 people dead and paralysed the government.

(Source: VNA)