Several members of National Legislative Assembly (NLA) early Jan said general election may have to be further postponed from late 2017 to mid-2018 because lawmakers needed more time to draft organic laws on parties and polling; PM Prayuth Chan-ocha later conceded election unlikely before 2018. Prayuth 10 Jan announced king had declined to endorse draft constitution, seeking changes in provisions relating to royal powers; NLA and cabinet quickly amended interim constitution to permit amendments to draft. Prayuth 17 Jan said amendments would be completed in one month before being sent to king again for endorsement within 90 days. NCPO mid-Jan announced launch of political reconciliation process, led by deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan and to begin with MoU to be signed by all political actors committing to follow rules and abide by outcome of next general election. Prawit said govt would seek opinions from politicians, but will not yet lift ban on political party activity. Politicians responded warily; Democrat Party member and former FM Kasit Piromya and former Pheu Thai Party parliamentarian Worachai Hema both suggested military also sign MoU and pledge to refrain from staging coups. Sapaeing Basor, reputed leader of Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), died in exile in Malaysia 10 Jan. PM Prayuth offered condolences to Sapaeing’s family, ordered authorities to facilitate return of his remains to Thailand; tens of thousands turned out for his funeral prayers in Yala and Pattani 16 Jan. Ongoing violence in Deep South included school director shot dead by gunmen in Yala’s Muang district 4 Jan; suspected insurgent killed in military-police raid of his home in Yala’s Raman district 16 Jan.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun, Rama X confirmed 1 Dec; swore in Privy Council next day with seven members from his father’s Council and three new members, all retired generals and members of ruling National Council for Peace and Order; later appointed three more Privy Councillors. National Legislative Assembly 16 Dec unanimously passed amendments to 2007 Computer Crimes Act expanding state powers to monitor, block and remove online content; several people alleged to have hacked govt websites in protest arrested. Police General Srivara 30 Nov announced police mid-Oct arrested three men from Narathiwat province in deep south planning attacks on six tourist sites in and around Bangkok. Army 13 Dec handed over to police six more suspects in plot, which observers believe suggests Malay-Muslim militants intend to follow up on Aug bombings with further attacks on tourist areas outside their traditional area of activity. Govt and MARA Patani (Patani Consultative Council, umbrella organisation of five Malay-Muslim separatist groups in exile) negotiators met 19-21 Dec in Malaysia; discussion reportedly focused on establishment of safety zones; main militant group Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) not involved in dialogue. Six people killed in five separate shooting attacks 6 Dec in Patani and Narathiwat provinces. IED attack wounded four Border Patrol Police officers in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat 12 Dec.

Appointed legislature 29 Nov invited Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to become king. Ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) submitted draft of new constitution for royal approval early Nov; king/regent has 90 days to endorse it. Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan 25 Nov warned parliamentary elections scheduled for late 2017 may be delayed if new laws not ready in time. NCPO late Oct rolled out subsidy scheme of grants and loans to rice farmers amid slumping prices and threats of protests; subsidy plan set to cost at least $1.3bn. Former PM Yingluck 18 Nov appeared in Supreme Court for seventh hearing in trial for dereliction of duty for failing to heed bureaucrats’ warnings about alleged corruption in her govt’s 2011-2013 rice subsidy scheme. Violence in southernmost provinces continued, including wave of arson, bombing and shooting attacks by suspected militants in some twenty locations across Narathiwat, Pattani, Songkhla and Yala provinces 2-3 Nov, killing three people, coinciding with visit to region of “forward command”, established by govt in Oct to coordinate counter-insurgency. IED wounded two assistant village headmen in Khok Pho, Pattani 14 Nov, hours before Crown Prince arrived for visit to neighbouring Muang district. Gunmen killed pregnant Buddhist woman in Panare district, Pattani, on 26 Nov, sparking anti-violence demonstrations by Buddhist and Muslim groups.

King Bhumibol Adulyadej died 13 Oct aged 88, after 70 years on throne. PM Prayuth Chan-ocha same day announced one-year period of official mourning, said Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn would be next monarch, but wished to delay accession in order to mourn for unspecified period of time. News reports 14 Oct indicated Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanond, 96 years old, automatically regent, in accordance with constitution. Prayuth said king would sign new constitution early Nov, no delay for general election scheduled for late 2017. Several instances of mob violence against people alleged to have made anti-monarchy comments since 13 Oct. Deputy national police chief 10 Oct warned of possible car-bomb attacks in Bangkok late Oct. Security forces next day staged raids across Bangkok and neighbouring Samut Prakan province; police later denied raids connected to car-bomb warning. By 17 Oct, some 48 Malay-Muslims from southernmost provinces arrested in raids, all but five later released without charge. “Forward command” ordered by Prayuth in Sept to coordinate counter-insurgency efforts in southernmost provinces, comprising mostly retired military officers, met for first time 6 Oct in Bangkok. Ongoing violence in Deep South included murder of assistant village chief in Yala’s Yaha district by suspected militants 9 Oct; bomb in central Pattani’s night market 24 Oct killing one, injuring 21; one teacher shot and killed and another injured in Mayo district, Pattani, 28 Oct. Negotiators from govt and separatist umbrella group MARA-Patani met again in Malaysia 25-27 Oct to continue informal talks, focusing on safety zones; no agreement or date for next meeting.

Police 5 Sept announced first arrest of suspect in 11-12 Aug bombings in upper south that killed four people: all suspects Malay-Muslims from southernmost provinces, some linked to previous attacks. Senior officials maintain bombings unrelated to insurgency. Benar News 6 Sept reported that Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) claimed responsibility for the attacks to signal its displeasure with lack of progress in peace dialogue; govt officials dismissed claim. Delegations from govt and MARA-Patani (umbrella group of separatists in exile) met in Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur 2 Sept as part of Joint Working Group-Peace Dialogue Process; discussed establishment of safety zones and revised Terms of Reference, agreed that unofficial talks would continue. PM Prayuth Chan-ocha 15 Sept issued order establishing ten-member “forward cabinet” to help coordinate govt agencies working in Deep South. Several people killed in attacks by suspected separatists in deep south during month, including railway worker killed by bomb on train in Pattani 3 Sept. Young girl, her father and one other person killed by bomb near school in Narathiwat 6 Sept. Three policemen killed in ambush in Yala province 23 Sept. PM Prayuth increasingly employed Article 44 of interim constitution, which affords him far-reaching authority to issue orders free from judicial oversight or review: 12 Sept ordered end to military trials for civilians, but not retroactively (more than 1,800 civilians have been brought before military courts since May 2014 coup); 13 Sept issued order allowing govt to seize assets of former PM Yingluck Shinawatra and five other former officials for losses incurred in her govt’s rice-pledging program. State-appointed committee 25 Sept recommended Yingluck pay 35.7bn baht ($1bn) fine, amounting to 20% of losses in 2012 and 2013.

Month saw escalation of separatist violence in Deep South with deadly attacks targeting areas outside traditional conflict zone. Series of IEDs and incendiary devices exploded in seventeen locations across seven provinces of peninsular Thailand 11-12 Aug, killing four people and wounding at least 35; attacks targeted tourist locations including Krabi, Phang-nga, Phuket, Hua Hin. National police chief General Chakthip Chaijinda 21 Aug said bombings were work of New Generation of Malay-Muslim militants. Voters 7 Aug approved draft constitution prepared by National Council for Peace and Order’s (NCPO) drafting committee; Electoral Commission reported 59% turnout, with 61% voting in favour. Voters also approved by 58% second measure allowing Senate to help select PM together with lower house. Result reflected persistent regional divide, with Bangkok and south (except for three southernmost provinces) voting in favour of new charter, most north and NE provinces rejecting it. New constitution enshrines period of “guided democracy” following general election scheduled for late 2017. PM Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has repeatedly denied any ambition to serve as PM after an election, told reporters 17 Aug that he would accept position if no other qualified candidates could be found. Prayuth visited Deep South 25 July to unveil six-year plan to develop agro-industry, sustainable energy, trade with Malaysia. At least 35 small IEDs exploded across three southernmost provinces 6-7 Aug, eve of constitutional referendum, no casualties. Two bombs exploded at hotel in Pattani 24 Aug, one person killed; third Pattani bomb same day caused no casualties.

Ahead of 7 Aug referendum on draft constitution, ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) early July began to establish “peace centres” around country, ostensibly to ensure smooth balloting; opponents claim centres intended to influence vote. 23 ambassadors from Europe, U.S. and Canada 15 July issued public statement expressing concern at NCPO’s stifling of debate about draft. UN 6 and 26 July expressed concern over reports of restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly ahead of referendum. NCPO Order 41/2016 went into effect 13 July, authorising Office of National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) to close down media outlets that fail to cooperate with junta or present information deemed threat to national security, including “dishonest” criticism of NCPO operations. NBTC 21 July ordered that Red Shirt Peace TV cease broadcasting for 30 days. 117 leading members of political parties and civil society 20 July issued statement calling on NCPO to allow people to debate contents of draft constitution in public forum; Deputy PM next day told media govt will organise debates in each province. Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva 27 July announced he will vote against draft constitution. NGO Deep South Watch reported 32 people killed and 61 wounded during Ramadan in 82 violent incidents, fewer than same period in 2015. Incidents in July included: security forces killed two suspected insurgents in gun battle in Reuso district, Narathiwat 2 July; Malay Muslim man killed and three others wounded when grenade exploded in front of mosque in Yala 4 July; police officer killed by car bomb in Nong Chik district, Pattani 5 July.

PM and head of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Prayuth Chan-ocha 2 June said if Constitutional Court rules against a provision of recently enacted Referendum Act, constitutional referendum scheduled for 7 Aug would be postponed. Provision in question prohibits aggressive or rude language that disrupts referendum with penalty up to ten years’ jail; human rights groups argue that restrictions on speech deemed “inconsistent with the truth” are unconstitutionally vague. Election Commission (EC) commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn 17 June threatened prosecution of online critics who post “rude, false and provocative” statements critical of the draft constitution. Constitutional Court 29 June ruled Referendum Act accords with interim constitution. Red Shirt United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) early June announced it would establish “anti-fraud centres” across country to monitor referendum. NCPO mid-month decided centres violated prohibition on public gatherings for political activities; soldiers shut down some 30 anti-fraud centres around country. UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan called for the UN and other international bodies to monitor referendum. Insurgent attacks in Deep South included: in Narathiwat, two rangers killed in ambush in Rangae district 31 May, four insurgents and a ranger killed in clashes in Chanae district 1 June, Malay-Muslim village head and assistant killed in drive-by shooting in Cho Airong district 6 June; in Pattani, five people injured in shooting in Khok Pho district 5 June; bombs exploded Panare district and Mayo district same day, no casualties; two soldiers and five civilians injured by motorcycle bomb in Nong Chik district 9 June; two more soldiers wounded in bomb attack in same district 20 June; car bomb in Narathiwat 26 June injured two people.

Royal Gazette 5 May published National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) order authorising interior ministry to appoint govt officials to local elected councils when existing terms expire. Deputy PM Gen Prawit Wongsuwon 17 May said if voters reject second attempt to pass draft constitution in Aug referendum, another committee would be set up to draft third charter, raising possibility general election set for mid-2017 might be further delayed. Election Commission 19 May met with 65 political parties to discuss Aug referendum; politicians asked NCPO state what will happen if draft constitution is rejected in the referendum. Repression of regime critics continued, notwithstanding ongoing international pressure, including criticism from UN human rights chief Hussein late April on NCPO order providing military officers with police powers. Phase Two of Thailand’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at UN Human Rights Council in Geneva 11 May addressed inter alia torture and ill treatment of detainees by security officials; the death penalty; enforced disappearances; and freedom of speech. Following subsequent meeting with Thai FM, U.S. ambassador told media U.S. is “troubled” by recent arrests of NCPO critics. Country 22 May marked two-year anniversary of coup that brought NCPO to power; authorities permitted demonstration of some 200 people against military rule. Cabinet 26 May resolved to enact law to criminalise torture and enforced disappearances by state officials, drawing praise from UN and human rights activists. NCPO 27 May lifted international travel bans on scores of regime critics. Deep South saw continued insurgent attacks in Narathiwat, Yala and Pattani provinces, including IED in Narathiwat 2 May killing one soldier; several civilians also killed/injured during month.

National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) 29 March issued Order giving some military officers authority to conduct warrantless searches of homes, seize assets and detain civilians without charge. Human rights defenders condemned military intrusion into legal process; many observers believe order intended to curb criticism of draft constitution. Following 29 March issue of draft constitution, National Legislative Assembly 7 April approved referendum bill. Referendum will include question on whether or not joint sitting of parliament, including wholly appointed senate, should vote on PM. Referendum bill also authorises ten years’ prison for persons who “cause disturbances, deceive, force or threaten voters”. Army Commander General Thirachai Nakwanit 1 April told reporters that politicians who openly oppose govt could be sent for re-education course at military bases in violence-torn south. Army 19 April detained former commerce Minister Watana Muangsook for fourth “attitude adjustment” after he posted comments critical of NCPO on Facebook; activists demonstrated demanding his release, Watana released on bail 21 April. Soldiers 27 April arrested eight civilians for violations of Computer Crimes Act for Facebook posts ridiculing NCPO; the eight were charged with sedition. Violence continued in southernmost provinces, including several killed late-March/April in attacks/bombings. Secretary of Thai peace-dialogue delegation, Lt. General Nakrob Bunbuathong, transferred from post 21 April. Thai delegation met with Malay-Muslim separatist umbrella group Mara Patani in Kuala Lumpur 27 April, refused to sign Terms of Reference, setting back efforts to start formal negotiations.