Nikorn Outlines Timeline for New Constitution Draft, First Reading June 2026, Expected Enactment April-May 2029
Thailand's constitution drafting process will begin with a first parliamentary reading in June 2026, with the new charter expected to be enacted in April-May 2029 after public referendums and royal endorsement, according to Phum Jai Thai MP
May 24, 2026 – Nikorn Chumlong, a Phum Jai Thai party list MP and member of the party's constitution drafting team, has revealed the timeline for drafting a new constitution, with a new charter expected to be enforced in mid-2029. According to the schedule, if parliament considers the draft in June this year and approves the principles in reading one, readings two and three will follow in October 2026.
Nikorn stated that parliament will then submit the constitutional amendment draft to the government and the Election Commission (EC) to conduct the second referendum, likely in January-February 2027. If the public referendum approves it, the draft will be presented to the king for royal endorsement and enactment.
Nikorn also noted that between August 2027 and August 2028, there will be a selection process for the Constitutional Drafting Assembly (CDA), taking one to two months. Once the CDA is formed, a 45-member committee will be appointed to draft the new constitution. Additionally, a separate committee will be established to gather input from the 15 main CDA members, 15 reserve CDA members, and 15 representatives from the general public, with the drafting process expected to take one year.
"We expect the new constitution to be completed by September 2028," Nikorn said. "Then, in February 2029, a third referendum will be held. Once approved, the draft will be presented to the king, and the new constitution is expected to be enacted between April and May 2029."
