The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) yesterday moved to prevent junta-appointed charter writers from heading its committees and subcommittees.

The CDA voted unanimously to disallow non-members from heading any of the assembly's working groups.

The move effectively keeps Prasong Soonsiri out of the race for chairmanship of the 35-member Constitution Drafting Committee.

Prasong is a National Legislative Assembly (NLA) member and among 10 constitution writers appointed by the Council for National Security (CNS) last Friday. The 10 join 25 drafters selected from the CDA.

He was seen as a strong contender to head the core drafting team.

In response to concerns of some CDA members that committee members might not follow the resolution, CDA deputy chairman Seree Suwanpanont, said that would go against the assembly regulations. If that was the case, the CDA was empowered to vote to remove the "non-member" from the chairmanship, he said.

Opposition within the CDA against an "outsider" chairing the drafting committee grew in the wake of speculation that Prasong would head the panel with the blessing of the CNS.

Prasong declined to comment yesterday on the decision by the CDA, saying he had not obtained "the whole facts" about the matter.

General Preecha Rojanasen, an NLA member, said the CDA move was undemocratic and a disappointing start for the constitution drafting.

CDA member Charan Phakdithanakul has now emerged as the leading contender.

He said after the vote that the resolution was not binding on members as the CDA had no power to force drafting committee members to follow its decision. "It's rather a show of the CDA's intention to the public," he said.

Charan said he did not expect the selection of committee chairman to lead to conflict within the panel.

Other possible contenders include Akrawit Sumawong and Wicha Mahakhun.

Earlier yesterday, CDA member Krirkkiat Pipatseritham said the assembly would be held responsible for the new Constitution, and as such, non-members should not be allowed to chair its committees, which include the Constitution Drafting Committee.

Other CDA members spoke in support and the assembly then voted unanimously to back the Krirkkiat motion.

The CDA convened yesterday morning at Parliament with chairman Noranit Setabutr presiding.

The meeting acknowledged the CNS appointments to the core drafting committee and formally appointed all 35.

The team starts its drafting work after its appointment is published in the Royal Gazette.

The CDA will name nine panels for charter-related tasks including the organisation of regional public hearings and public relations.