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Published on July 14, 2007

He believes it will be one of the few avenues for people to hear the truth ahead of a national referendum.

"The public know little of the facts concerning the draft charter," he said yesterday. "The debate will help people to see what is good or bad in the draft charter".

The government has "failed to show both sides of the coin", Chaturon alleged, adding the people had been "intimidated" into accepting the draft charter at a referendum.

The People's Network for Elections, or P-Net, an independent watchdog, will host the debate, at Baan Manangkasila. It intends to raise awareness of the referendum and help voters weigh the charter's pros and cons.

 Representing the pro-charter side will be Constitution Drafting Assembly chairman Noranit Setabutr, Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Prasong Soonsiri and his secretary, Somkid Lertpaitoon.

Critics include Midnight University academic Nidhi Aoseewong and Thammasat University law lecturer Vorachet Pakeerat.

Meanwhile, Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said the anti-charter movement should stop its "Vote No" campaign, which he said was actually intended to build legitimacy for the return of Thaksin Shinawatra.