Thailand's military government has selected the head of the country's Constitution Drafting Council in what is seen as a first step toward restoring democracy after last year's military coup.
Following his election to the council Monday, political science professor Noranit Setabutr said a new draft constitution would be completed within 180 days.
He said the new constitution must be acceptable to the Thai public and bring about democracy.
Members of Thailand's military overthrew the government of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last September. They accused him of exploiting the old constitution to amass more personal power than his office afforded him.
The coup leaders have promised to hold a general election under a new constitution within a year.
Mr. Thaksin is living outside the country while he is being investigated for corruption and abuse of power at home.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
