[JURIST] The 100-member Constitution Drafting Council in Thailand [JURIST news archive] moved a key step closer to its goal of presenting a new constitution for the country within the next six months Monday by electing professor Noranit Setabutr [profile] to serve as its chairman, pending his approval by Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej [official profile]. Whatever document the Council eventually agrees upon will need to approved via referendum.

The Royal Thai Army [official website] seized power from former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra [JURIST news archive] in a bloodless coup [JURIST report] in September leading to the imposition of martial law [JURIST news archive]. Thai Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin [BBC profile] said December 20 that martial law will remain in force in 35 of Thailand's 76 provinces. Reuters has more.