In Thailand, a commission writing a new constitution is set to consider proposals by the military government. The proposals include a non-elected senate and an appointed prime minister over a five-year period until the new constitution takes effect. The proposals have led to sharp criticism from major political parties. The commission’s draft version of the constitution calls for a 500-member House of Representatives. Those seats would be filled through elections in Thailand. A 200-member senate would be chosen by interest groups and other organizations. However, the government’s proposal calls for a 250-member appointed Senate. It would include seats for the permanent secretary of defense, supreme commander, and commanders of the army, navy and air force and the chief of police. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the military’s proposal was aimed at preventing a military overthrow of the government. But Thailand observers and politicians from major parties say the proposal will weaken parties and harm democracy.