On 16 September 2015, H.E. Mr. Wissanu Krue-Ngam, Deputy Prime Minister, and H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a joint briefing on Thailand’s Political Roadmap for the diplomatic corps and representatives from international organizations at Naradhip Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Attendees included representatives from 66 countries (including 31 ambassadors) and 12 international organizations.

The Deputy Prime Minister explained that after the National Reform Council (NRC) voted against the draft constitution on 6 September 2015, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has to form two new political bodies by 6 October 2015: 1) the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) with no more than 21 members, and 2) the Country Reform Driving Council (CRDC) with no more than 200 members. According to the Roadmap, a general election will be held in 20 months. There are 4 processes that will have to be completed leading up to the election: 1) drafting the Constitution (6 months), 2) holding a national referendum (4 months), 3) drafting related organic laws (6 months), and 4) preparing for the general election (4 months). The Deputy Prime Minister remarked that the timeframe of each process can be shortened as deemed appropriate.

After the briefing, the Minister of Foreign Affairs met with the press at Vithes Samosorn Hall, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he apprised them of the briefing and opened the floor to questions from the press.