A referendum can court a lot of trouble. But things will be worse without a referendum. The cascade of proposed changes means many groups aren't happy with the draft. Indeed, the abundance of proposals means the Thai public wants to take part in this meaningful process. Failure to take heed will undoubtedly downgrade the draft, especially if it doesn't go to a referendum.
The large number of proposals, on one hand, makes a referendum more dreadful in the eyes of the drafters and the junta. On the other, it underscores the need for the final draft to get some legitimacy, which only a referendum can provide. There is perhaps just one option to resolve this dilemma - to allow Thais to vote on the draft.
Interim Prime Minister and coupmaker Prayut Chan-o-cha seems to have leaned toward a referendum, despite his initial, extreme reluctance. A year after seizing power, his path has not always been smooth, but what he has gone through could almost certainly feel like rosy when the referendum process gets into high swing. Having tasted glimpses of democracy, all its good and bad will come down on him at once in the near future.