Posted June 23, 2017 17:11:28

Photo: The drafting committee will be headed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. (Photo: Reuters/Athit Perawongmeth)

Thailand has flagged plans for a 20-year national strategy that critics say will allow the military to control future governments.

The military-installed National Legislative Assembly passed the law on Thursday and a 17-member committee will begin drafting the controversial blueprint.

Three years ago military seized power, promoting itself as the kingdom's guardian against corrupt politicians.

The generals have given themselves sweeping powers to push through reforms — ranging from major rail infrastructure projects to crackdowns on street food vendors and flower sellers.

This national strategy will be legally binding, effectively giving the military oversight of elected governments for the next 20 years.

"It is a pity that the national strategy law sets out principles which give the people little chance to participate, not in line with the spirit of the constitution," said former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, according to the Bangkok Post newspaper.

The drafting committee will be headed by Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha — who led the 2014 coup — and includes six representatives of the security forces, as well as heads of industry and politicians.

During a five-year "transitional" phase, any future government must report its progress each quarter to a Senate that will be appointed by the junta.

Political researchers say such far-reaching control has been attempted unsuccessfully by previous military regimes in Thailand, but this is the first time the generals have got this far.

The drafting of the 20-year blueprint is expected to take several months.

Elections have been delayed each year since the 2014, and the cremation of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October means a vote is unlikely to held until 2018.

Topics: world-politics, army, forms-of-government, thailand, asia