Draft Charter Ready For Vote

[Mid]

EDITORIAL

A lack of free and open debate

Wednesday August 15, 2007

At Monday's government-sponsored rally in Bangkok, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told the crowd: ''Going to vote is a way of exercising your rights.

It is a way of expressing your devotion to democracy and repaying the nation. It is a way to help decide the country's future by exercising your judgement.'' Unfortunately for Malay-speaking villagers in the southernmost provinces who cannot read Thai, it will be difficult for them to exercise judgement because they cannot read it. None of the 19 million copies of the constitution are written in their language. This oversight may simply be due to the relatively short space of time between when the constitution was completed on July 7 and the referendum on Aug 19. But the logistical error brings to light an essential question: What is the point of holding a referendum on something as important as the constitution if people are so ill-informed about what it says?

snip

The Post Publishing Public Co

[Jai Dee]

Provincial governors to put efforts in encouraging citizens to cast votes

Minister of Interior Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ) instructed provincial governors from 17 northern provinces to put more efforts in encouraging citizens to exercise their voting rights as the referendum day is nearing.

Mr Aree said that the first referendum of Thailand will take place in the next 4-5 days; therefore, he would like provincial governors to do their utmosts in campaigning people to exercise their rights. He said it is not as important for people to vote for or against the charter draft, but going to the polls would provide a clearer definition of what a democratic society is.

Mr. Aree said that provincial governors should not anticipate a number of eligible voters casting ballots as it will be considered as an attempt to influence people’s decision.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC of Nakhon Ratchasima believes many people will vote in referendum

The Office of the Provincial Election Commission (EC) of Nakhon Ratchasima (นครราชสีมา) Chairman, Gen. Weerawuth Songsai (วีรวุธ ส่งสาย), is confident that many people in Nakhon Ratchasima province will exercise their right to vote in the 2007 constitution referendum.

Gen. Weerawuth is confident that many people in Nakhon Ratchasima will help uphold democracy by taking part in the referendum on August 19th. He says public members should be proud to take part in this historical event of the country regardless of their decision to approve or reject the new constitution draft. However, he asks people to read and study the content of the new charter draft before making their decision.

Gen. Weerawuth also asks people of Nakhon Ratchasima to exercise their right to vote truthfully and justly.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Education Minister confident the voting campaign via educational institutions may work efficiently

Education Minister Prof. Dr. Wijit Srisa-arn (วิจิตร ศรีสอ้าน) is confident the campaign for more public participation in the referendum may work more via educational institutes.

The Ministry of Education yesterday followed up on the progress of the Cabinet's instruction in assigning alle ducational institutes to encourage eligible voters to go to the polls on the referendum day August 19th. Prof. Dr. Wijit informs that the campaign will last till August 18th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC Chairman says court will decide whether DAAD speech violate referendum law

Chairman of the Election Commission (EC), Apichart Sukhagganond (อภิชาต สุขัคคานนท์), says it depends on the court’s decision whether the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD)’s speeches do violate the referendum law or not.

The EC chairman reveals that EC’s meeting today may consider authorizing provincial EC officials to file complaints against those who violate the referendum law with the police immediately without approval from the central EC. He also affirms EC will not let referendum frauds to occur as quoted by DAAD members, adding that the society will decide for itself whether to believe DAAD’s speeches attacking EC and the referendum.

As for the Thai Rak Thai Group’s forum to campaign against the charter draft today (August, 15th), the chairman says EC will keep an eye on all campaigns concerning the referendum and he hopes that the group will abide by laws.

EC is in cooperation with college students nationwide in persuading people to vote in the referendum on August 19th. It expects that the silent voters will exercise their voting rights this time. During August 16th – 18th, EC is scheduled to arrange a campaign called “We Jam Vote” which is aimed to draw people to attend the referendum.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Transport Company Limited lowers fares from Aug. 17-20

The Transport Company Limited will facilitate travelers who will take part in the 2007 constitution referendum on August 19th by reducing the fares from August 17th to 20th.

Ms. Rapipan Wanpintu (ระพีพรรณ วรรณพินทุ), the Public Relations Division chief of the Transport Company Limited, says the Transport Company Limited will lower the fares for "99" and "999" public buses, excluding public buses running less than 100 kilometers in the outskirts of Bangkok. Ms. Rapipan says the fare reduction scheme will encourage people to travel to their homeland to vote in the national referendum on August 19th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

CDA tells people to study details of charter rather than floating rumours

Deputy Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA), Seri Suwanpanont (เสรี สุวรรณภานนท์), instructs people to study the details of the charter draft rather than believe in flying rumours.

Mr. Seri says that people might be misled by some groups with intent to undermine the charter draft and to distort information of why a coup occured. He affirms that the charter draft provide benefits for people and the country.

Mr. Pongthep Thepkanchana (พงษ์เทพ เทพกาญจนา) earlier claimed that the CDA used the state budget to set up billboards to encourage voters to vote 'yes' for the charter draft. In response to the claim, Mr. Seri affirms that the private sector is in charge of the advertisement expenses.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 August 2007

[Mid]

EC expecting charter vote to be fraud-free

POST REPORTERS

Depending on where voters are in the country they will see different-coloured referendum ballots when they go to the polling stations on Sunday to vote on the draft constitution.

Each ballot will bear a security code and colour specific to the different regions of the country in an attempt to prevent election fraud and ease ballot printing, Election Commission (EC) chairman Apichart Sukhakkhanont said yesterday.

snip

The Post Publishing Public Co

[hammered]

EDITORIAL

A lack of free and open debate

Wednesday August 15, 2007

At Monday's government-sponsored rally in Bangkok, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told the crowd: ''Going to vote is a way of exercising your rights.

It is a way of expressing your devotion to democracy and repaying the nation. It is a way to help decide the country's future by exercising your judgement.'' Unfortunately for Malay-speaking villagers in the southernmost provinces who cannot read Thai, it will be difficult for them to exercise judgement because they cannot read it. None of the 19 million copies of the constitution are written in their language. This oversight may simply be due to the relatively short space of time between when the constitution was completed on July 7 and the referendum on Aug 19. But the logistical error brings to light an essential question: What is the point of holding a referendum on something as important as the constitution if people are so ill-informed about what it says?

snip

The Post Publishing Public Co

If you know Thai villages you will also know a lot of people who cannot read or write. A similar problem. Then again not many people are reading the document anyway and the vote wont be about it. To say the electorate are seeking advice from those who know best in their villages on this is an understatement and that is without the cash that has increasingly started to float about at least in the villages I know of.

[jumnien]

government (military) sponsored rally - pretty much says it all, doesn't it?

[Mid]

the hi-jacking of such an important issue is depressing ..........................

[Jai Dee]

Channel 11 to broadcast TV show on new constitution draft and its impact on education

The Secretary-General of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), Khunying Kasama Voravarn Na Ayutthaya (คุณหญิงกษมา วรวรรณ ณ อยุธยา), believes the television program on the constitution and the future of education will help teachers and local administrative officials in deciding whether they want to approve or disapprove the 2007 constitution draft.

Khunying Kasama says the Ministry of Education is organizing this TV show on the Public Relations Department’s Television Station Channel 11 between 10:00 and 12:00 hours today (August 16th). She says the show will educate people about the new charter draft and its relevance to Thailand’s education. She says representatives from the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) will discuss the charter draft and education issues with teachers, local administrative officials and students. Some of the main topics to be discussed include financial support for education, alternative education and laws concerning education.

In addition, the TV program will allow teachers, local administrative officials and students to voice their ideas and opinions as well as asking questions to the CDA representatives.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC prepares communication tools to promptly report referendum result

The Office of the Provincial Election Commission (EC) of Mae Hong Son (แม่ฮ่องสอน), has prepared communication tools to report the result of the 2007 constitution referendum on August 19th. The unofficial result should be announced within 21:00 hours of the referendum day.

The Office of the Provincial EC of Mae Hong Son Chairman, Mr. Akachai Ruenkam (เอกชัย เรือนคำ), says Mae Hong Son province has 448 voting booths in total, and many of them are in remote areas where the telecommunication infrastructure is limited. Therefore, the EC officials will use various communication tools provided by local administrative organizations, military, police, public health volunteers and education institutes to help transmit the referendum result promptly.

Mr. Akachai says police helicopters will help transport ballot boxes from seven voting booths in remote areas of Mae Hong Son province.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

[hammered]

the hi-jacking of such an important issue is depressing ..........................

Did you really expect anything different when you have two sides intent on making the vote about anything but what is in the charter and to throw in the usual gammut of use of influence and money to try and force the outcome?

[Mid]

hope springs eternal ,

reality is a cold shower

there's no water heater in my Ban

[hammered]

hope springs eternal ,

reality is a cold shower

there's no water heater in my Ban

Nice way of putting it.

just wait for the election itself

[Jai Dee]

Southern border provinces ready for charter referendum

Deputy Minister of Interior Pol.Lt.Gen.Theerawut Butrsripoom (ธีรวุฒิ บุตรศรีภูมิ) indicates that the constitution referendum in the Southern border provinces is 100% ready, while expressing his belief that the charter draft will definitely pass the referendum.

The deputy minister gave an interview to the press during his trip in Satun province. He said the ministry had instructed governors and district chiefs across the country to do their utmost to cooperate with the Election Commission in arranging the referendum. The three Southern border provinces are now ready for the referendum in terms of security and delivery of ballots to and from islands and remote areas.

As for the situation in the deep South, the deputy minister said it is still considered as normal. Officials from all relevant units assured maximum security for the voters.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Chanthaburi targets 70% of voter turnout

The province of Chanthaburi continues to urge people to exercise their right to vote on the August 19th referendum.

This morning (August 16th) in front of Chanthaburi City Hall, Chanthaburi Governor Panas Kaewlai (พนัส แก้วลาย) presided over the launch of a parade of vehicles, with an aim to encourage people to take part in the 2007 constitution referendum this Sunday. The parade was organized by the provincial authority and the Election Commission (EC) together with the private sector. 93 vehicles joined the parade, and they travelled to nine districts and one sub-districts of Chanthaburi province to encourage people to vote in Thailand’s first ever referendum.

On this occasion, Chanthaburi province has 649 voting booths, with a total of 364,892 eligible voters. The province targets to achieve at least 70 percent of voter turnout and less than three percent of voided ballots. The province is expected to receive the unofficial result of the referendum at around 18:00 hours of the same day.

The province Chanthaburi is asking people not to engage in illegal activities, such as tearing up the ballots or taking the ballots outside the voting booths, as they would be penalized accordingly.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Yala targets 60% of voter turnout on referendum day

The southern border province of Yala (ยะลา) is urging people to vote in the 2007 constitution referendum on August 19th.

This morning (August 16th) at the City Municipal of Yala, more than 1,000 villagers, students and state officials conducted a parade, campaigning for people to exercise their voting rights this Sunday. The parade traveled along the main routes of Yala province, and people who joined the parade carried signs and posters to encourage others to take part in the referendum.

Mr. Boonyasit Suwannarat, the Office of the Provincial Election Commission (EC) of Yala Chairman, says he is confident that more than 60 percent of eligible voters in Yala will turn up at their local voting stations on August 19th. He says various campaigns have been carried out to ensure their safety during the referendum day, and he believes no unrest will take place on that day.

In the meantime, Mr. Boonyasit says the EC officials are inspecting the anti-referendum leaflets that have been distributed in Yala province.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

[Mid]

Deputy Minister of Interior Pol.Lt.Gen.Theerawut Butrsripoom (ธีรวุฒิ บุตรศรีภูมิ) indicates that the constitution referendum in the Southern border provinces is 100% ready,

unfortunately there are no reports of the copy of the draft being delivered to any on Samui ................................

[Mid]

anti-referendum leaflets

one presumes ( dangerous ................) , that this is referring to a No vote as opposed to anti-referendum ....sigh

[Mid]

Thais told to OK constitution

By Richard Ehrlich

August 16, 2007

BANGKOK — Thai voters are being asked to approve a new constitution Sunday, daunted by a warning from the coup-installed military regime that a mysterious backup constitution will be imposed if they vote no.

sbip

washingtontimes.com

conspicuous by it's absence is any reports on last nights rally .............................................

[Sanpatong]

unfortunately there are no reports of the copy of the draft being delivered to any on Samui ...

Would you like mine?

Some pages are missing though as we've already used some of it for toilet paper.

[hammered]

Thais told to OK constitution

By Richard Ehrlich

August 16, 2007

BANGKOK — Thai voters are being asked to approve a new constitution Sunday, daunted by a warning from the coup-installed military regime that a mysterious backup constitution will be imposed if they vote no.

sbip

washingtontimes.com

conspicuous by it's absence is any reports on last nights rally .............................................

Oh those terrible foreign news media. Just do the Junta's dirty work. Not like the nice Thai media that showed the rally on TV last night.

[Jai Dee]

Assc Prof Thirapat reminds people not to believe leaflets distorting the charter draft

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office. Assc. Prof. Thirapat Serirangsan (ธีรภัทร์ เสรีรังสรรค์) reminds people not to believe leaflets distorting the purpose of the charter draft.

Documents and letters undermining the charter draft have been distributed in many provinces, especially Ratchaburi (ราชบุรี), Phetchaburi (เพชรบุรี). Bangkok. Assc Prof Thirapat says the source of the leflets has yet been identified; however, he urged distributors to open up and express their opinions in the debate concerning the charter draft.

At the same time, Mr. Thirapat informs that there will be a public debate of the charter draft tomorrow (August 17th) at 15.00-17.00 hours via Channel 9.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Security in Yala on referendum day will be doubled

The Office of the Provincial Election Commission (EC) of Yala says the security on the 2007 constitution referendum day on August 19th will be doubled. The office would like to invite eligible voters in the province to take part in this historic event.

Election Commissioner Udom Pattanawong (อุดม ปัตนวงศ์) says security measures have been determined and they will be implemented in all voting stations. He says all units will reinforce security in Yala to ensure the voters’ safety this Sunday. Nevertheless, he believes the voter turnout in Yala will be at least 60 percent.

Yala has a total population of 541,668 people, and 300,807 of them are eligible voters. 105,291 of the eligible voters live in Muang district, 59,189 in Raman district, 31,658 in Bannang Sata district, 36,964 in Betong district, 30,510 in Kabang district, 13,460 in Thanto district and 12,945 in Krong Pinang district. There are 482 voting booths in Yala province.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

[hammered]

Assc Prof Thirapat reminds people not to believe leaflets distorting the charter draft

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office. Assc. Prof. Thirapat Serirangsan (ธีรภัทร์ เสรีรังสรรค์) reminds people not to believe leaflets distorting the purpose of the charter draft.

Documents and letters undermining the charter draft have been distributed in many provinces, especially Ratchaburi (ราชบุรี), Phetchaburi (เพชรบุรี). Bangkok. Assc Prof Thirapat says the source of the leflets has yet been identified; however, he urged distributors to open up and express their opinions in the debate concerning the charter draft.

At the same time, Mr. Thirapat informs that there will be a public debate of the charter draft tomorrow (August 17th) at 15.00-17.00 hours via Channel 9.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007

In April 2006 people were told if you vote no you will lose your 30-baht health thing. In the charter referendum people are being told if you dont vote no you will lose your 30-baht health care. I thought we may have seen something more unique on the scare tactics front. Interestly the scarers seem to have overlooked the bit about universal health care in the charter, but of course this vote is not about what is in the charter anyway.

[slimdog]

In April 2006 people were told if you vote no you will lose your 30-baht health thing. In the charter referendum people are being told if you dont vote no you will lose your 30-baht health care. I thought we may have seen something more unique on the scare tactics front. Interestly the scarers seem to have overlooked the bit about universal health care in the charter, but of course this vote is not about what is in the charter anyway.

Section 50:

A person shall enjoy an equal right to receive standard public health service, and the indigent shall have the right to receive free medical treatment from public health centers of the state.

The public health service of the state shall be provided thoroughly and efficiently.

The state shall prevent and eradicate harmful contagious diseases among the public without charge in a timely manner.

Section 79

(2) The state shall promote, support, and develop sustainable good health of the people, thoroughly provide standard and efficient health service, and encourage local governments and the private sector to participate in the provision of public health service.

Not sure if I would agree that this guarantee's anything more than providing the most basic form of coverage, unless of course you pay for it.

[ColPyat]

In April 2006 people were told if you vote no you will lose your 30-baht health thing. In the charter referendum people are being told if you dont vote no you will lose your 30-baht health care. I thought we may have seen something more unique on the scare tactics front. Interestly the scarers seem to have overlooked the bit about universal health care in the charter, but of course this vote is not about what is in the charter anyway.

Well, yeah, and by now many Thais have already lost the 30 Baht health thing, replaced by a chaos in which every hospital/area deals with health care differently, to the disadvantage of the poor.

The charter may have an article providing for free health care, but judging from the present chaos - i fear that this is an ivory tower declaration of intent with no hope of even half decent implementation.

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister shrugs off rumours about forcing people to accept charter

Minister of Interior Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ) shrugged off claims by the Thai Rak Thai Party, alleging the Ministry of Interior of forcing the general public to accept the charter draft.

Ministry of Interior also assigned officers to investigate into some communities as claims have reported that some village headmen have instructed residents to boycott the constitution draft. Mr. Aree said if they are found guilty, lawsuits will be filed against them.

Mr. Aree, however, believes that the movements against the charter draft could not change people’s decision because they understand the situation well.

Mr Aree also said that the video clippings from yesterday's rally will determine whether demonstrators have crossed the line or not.

In the meantime, Minister of Interior Aree has requested people to exercise their rights in the August 19th referendum.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 August 2007