Thailand's king signed a new military-backed constitution today which will strengthen the army's hand in government and puts the country on the path to polls after three years of junta rule.<br/><br/>The military says the charter, Thailand's twentieth since 1932, will curb unrest in the politically split kingdom and keep out corrupt lawmakers.'But, opponents say the new document means any polls, whose date keeps slipping, will only offer Thais a form of neutered democracy with a fully appointed senate and tough controls on elected politicians.<br/><br/>King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who ascended the throne following the death of his widely revered father Bhumibol Adulyadej, signed the document in a televised ceremony in Bangkok this afternoon.