Draft Charter Ready For Vote

[Mid]

The key issue is that Thailand is on the way down (of democracy) and that's much more serious than the T-era.

appointing 1/2 the Senate would bear witness to that ............................

[Siripon]

The key issue is that Thailand is on the way down (of democracy) and that's much more serious than the T-era.

appointing 1/2 the Senate would bear witness to that ............................

The last elected Senate largely consisted of relatives of elected politicians, it was illegal to campaign so only famous or well connected folks had any chance of winning. The previous senate which coincided with the Thaksin era was largely a disgrace, frequently engaging in block voting for committee members or general votes.

Unless the Senate can consist of genuinely independent members they might as well do away with it.

[Mid]

Unless the Senate can consist of genuinely independent members they might as well do away with it.

preferable to current thinking .

[slimdog]

If this has already been posted then I'm sorry, but one little snippet from Wednesdays Bangkok Post caught my eye. The headline was:

Former TRT leaders launch 'no' campaign

Right of the bottom of the article was this:

The Election Commission yesterday announced additional polling stations for the referendum in the four insurgency-torn provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla.

This will help people who have to vote outside the areas where their households are registered.

In total, the four provinces will have eight polling stations, compared with one each in other provinces, apart from Bangkok with 50.

One Polling station per province

It's no wonder that they are pretty confident that the Draft Constitution will be passed.....

Original article in Bangkok Post News section:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/110707_News/11Jul2007_news07.php

[Jai Dee]

CDC Chairman wants relevant units to urgently publicize details of charter draft

Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) Chairman Prasong Soonsiri admits he is worried after the Ramkhamhaeng Poll reveals that over 70 percent of the survey respondents have not read the 2007 charter draft. However, he sees that this is a sign for responsible units to quickly publicize the content in the 2007 constitution draft to the general public.

In response to the Democracy Now group’s demand for a stage to be held for people to debate on the charter draft, the CDC Chairman says the Democracy Now should be the host of this debate. Otherwise, they can join the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA)’s stages for people to voice their ideas and opinions.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 July 2007

[Mid]

Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) Chairman Prasong Soonsiri admits he is worried after the Ramkhamhaeng Poll reveals that over 70 percent of the survey respondents have not read the 2007 charter draft.

how can they read it , they haven't a copy yet .

what planet are these guys from ??

[hammered]

This vote is more to do with power than the charter. Can the authorities get it accepted? Can the pro-Thaksins stop it?

[Jai Dee]

Khunying Dhipavadee says Govt. did not force people to accept charter draft

Minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan (ทิพาวดี เมฆสวรรค์) affirms that the satte media has never influenced or forced people to vote for the constitution draft in the referendum.

The minister says the government is expediting public relations activities on the content of the charter draft, especially issues concerning people’s rights and liberties and protections in line with democracy. Khunying Dhipavadee says further that the public relations activities are aimed to educate people about the constitution draft and calls on them to exercise their own discretion whether to approve or disapprove the draft.

The minister also invites people to vote in the referendum on August 19th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Draft charter to be mailed to all homes

Thailand Post started distributing copies of the draft constitution yesterday to almost 20 million families nationwide, as part of plans to publicise the public referendum on the new charter.

Copies of the draft have been sent to 13 post centres for distribution to 1,178 state post offices, and 3,370 privately run postal outlets across the country for delivery to all homes by 8,000 postmen.

Ballots will be distributed to voters in 927 districts from August 115 for the referendum, being held on August 19.

Source: The Nation - 13 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Televised debate on new charter to be held on Aug 3

The televised debate on the new constitution will take place on August 3 designed to raise awareness on the referendum and help voters forming judgement, an organiser said Thursday.

The debate is being organised by the People's Network for Elections (PNet), an independent watchdog, and will be broadcast by Nation Channel, a cable news station which is a sister company of The Nation.

"In light of confusion about the referendum, PNet wants to offer a neutral venue for rival camps to air their views," PNet chairman Saiyud Kerdphol said.

Saiyud voiced optimism that the debate would convey pertinent facts to voters without swaying them to vote one way or another.

Source: The Nation - 13 July 2007

[Mobi]

The green bogeymen are here to stay

Sanitsuda Ekachai

The draft constitution is complete. The referendum is around the corner. And if we say yes to it, the general election will restore our parliamentary democracy, the military will return to the barracks and we can all heave a big sigh of relief. If that is what you believe, WAKE UP!

There are plenty of alarming signs that the military is determined to stay put as a defining political force, with or without the ballot-box rituals.

It is also ready to play the carrot-and-stick game to bring the rebellious to submission.

Last Friday, an outspoken activist was taken into custody by the military for publicly criticising the coup-makers and encouraging people to say no to the draft charter.

During detention, he was psychologically threatened and denied contact with his lawyer and family members, a basic legal right that even accused criminals are entitled to.

The investigating soldiers accused him of being part of the pro-Thaksin movement. He denied it. They asked him to stop denouncing their bosses. He refused.

His release 24 hours later came after intense lobbying from rights activists who had access to the military bosses. And probably because the men in green suddenly became fearful that their attempt to teach a loud activist a lesson might snowball and explode in their faces.

If what happened to Sombat Boonngarm-anong is the military's warning to urban political activists, the same stern message has reached the grassroots movements in the countryside.

It hit hard on the anti-Pak Moon dam villagers, a strong grassroots movement in the Northeast.

Although the Pak Moon fisherfolk have insisted they are no fans of Thaksin Shinawatra, the military views anyone critical of the coup-makers and coup-installed government as Mr Thaksin's sympathisers.

That was probably why the annual opening of the dam's sluice gates which was scheduled in May was delayed.

When the Pak Moon fisherfolk protested, and when the Surayud government agreed to respect the schedule, military activities at Pak Moon were in full swing to mobilise counter-groups to stop the move.

As if to take up the cue, the Surayud government made a quick U-turn by declaring a permanent closure of the dam's water gates.

''The message is clear,'' said one village leader. ''There are effectively two governments at work. And we now know which one is the more powerful.''

Enter Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin.

He granted the Pak Moon leaders a meeting to explain to him how the dam is killing the entire Moon river and the fisherfolk's por piang livelihood.

Had he been able to keep his promise to fix the problem at the Tuesday cabinet meeting, the patron-client game of reciprocity would have required the Pak Moon folk to return the favour, if or when Gen Sonthi decided to enter politics.

That he failed to keep his word suggests that the military, like all previous civilian governments, eventually decided to opt for the powerful Egat, the country's electricity generating agency, over the locals' livelihood. Either that, or else the military is simply ridden with too many factions to give the general the final say.

Whichever it is, it reconfirms the villagers' long-held belief that change can come only through their own sweat, blood and tears.

Last Friday, activist Sombat got a shake-up from the military.

On Tuesday, the Pak Moon folk were betrayed.

Tomorrow it might be you, your friends, your relatives.

And if you do not have friends with some useful connections to come to your rescue, tough luck.

No use talking about the rule of law. Or democracy. For in the pipeline is the National Security Bill which will allow the military to expand martial law to cover the whole country.

Is the dark age when our country was under the military's thumb soon returning?

You bet.

Bangkok Post.

[Jai Dee]

Act draft of charter referendum to be enforced in August

Minister attached to the Office of the Prime Minister Thirapat Serirangsan (ธีรภัทร์ เสรีรังสรรค์) indicates that the Act draft of the constitution referendum will be enforced at the beginning of August.

The minister says he does not agree with campaigns against the constitution draft and people have freedom to decide whether to approve it. Moreover, he affirms the government will consider the referendum Act draft carefully before forwarding it to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) on July, 15th.

In response to Gen.Sonthi Boonyaratglin’s possibility to contest the general election, the minister says he has the right to do so but declines to say whether Gen.Sonthi ’s inclination to enter politics has something to do with the junta’s succession of power.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 13 July 2007

[Mid]

The green bogeymen are here to stay

Sanitsuda Ekachai

thanxs for that Mobi , good article

authors bio here

Our guide this week is one of the Bangkok Post’s best-known and most outspoken columnists. She is Sanitsuda Ekachai and she writes about important social issues such as Thai Buddhism, rural development and the status of women in Thai society. As you will see, she feels strongly that much is wrong in Thai society — including the attitudes of many Thai students.

Thai students, she says, are too willing to accept everything they are taught. They need to learn to question what they hear and to make informed decisions about what is right and wrong.

more Thai's like her need to make their voices heard ,

then I can shut up .

[Jai Dee]

Copy of draft for everyone

Thailand Post started distributing copies of the draft constitution yesterday to almost 20 million families nationwide, as part of plans to publicise the public referendum on the new charter.Published on July 13, 2007

Copies of the draft have been sent to 13 postal centres for distribution to 1,178 state post offices and 3,370 privately run postal outlets across the country, for delivery to all homes.

Ballots will be distributed to voters in 927 districts from August 1-15 for the referendum, which is being held on August 19.

Constitution Drafting Committee deputy chairman Seri Suwanpanont said yesterday the draft contained additional information to explain the charter to the public.

Supreme Commander General Bunsang Niampradit said he believed the majority of the country's more than 60 million people wanted the draft constitution to be accepted.

Source: The Nation - 14 July 2007

[Mid]

Copy of draft for everyone

anyone seen one yet ?????

[sriracha john]

Majority agree with the draft constitution

Most people agree to the general content of the new draft constitution to be put up for a national referendum on August 19, a new survey has found.

More than 57 per cent of those surveyed by Assumption University's Abac Poll said that they agreed to the final draft subject for the referendum, compared with almost 23 per cent who disagreed and 20 per cent who gave no comments on the matter.

- The Nation

[Mid]

[Jai Dee]

Education Ministry persuades people to participate in charter referendum

Minister of Education Dr.Wichit Srisa-an (วิจิตร ศรีสอ้าน) reveals that the ministry was assigned by the government to arrange a campaign to persuade people to vote in the referendum of the constitution draft scheduled to take place on August 19th.

Dr.Wichit says the campaign will focus on pinpointing the importance of the constitution draft and the referendum.

The ministry has also cooperated with the Election Commission (EC) by dispatching volunteers who are high school scouts to help the EC campaign for the general election. Dr.Wichit says EC and the government wish to encourage people to vote in the election as many as possible.

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

[Jai Dee]

Thammathipathai Leader calls on public to vote in charter referendum

A leader of the Thammathipathai (ธรรมาธิปไตย) Group calls on people to vote in the referendum of the constitution draft on August 19th as it is their obligation.

Leader of the Thammathipatai Group and Former Minister, Somkid Jatusripitak (สมคิด จาตุศรีพิทักษ์), says the country’s political situation will improve after the general election which is expected to take place at the end of this year. He also requests all sides to cooperate instead of arguing with one another. As for the junta leader’s possibility of taking up a political role, the ex-minister declines to express opinions on the matter. He only says military officers have the right as a Thai citizen to be a politician.

The group leader adds that he is ready to support the Ruam Jai Thai (รวมใจ) Group whose leaders are former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party. Although Mr Somkid was banned from politics for five years due to the party dissolution case, he can still help the groups arrange political campaigns.

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

[Jai Dee]

Govt. committee changes name of referendum Act draft

An ad hoc committee on the constitution referendum has a resolution to change the name of the referendum Act draft and reduce its punishments.

The committee’s chairman Thirapat Serirangsan (ธีรภัทร์ เสรีรังสรรค์) reveals that the 2005 Referendum Act draft was changed to the Act draft on “Security for Referendum of the Constitution B.C….” as the old name is misleading. According to the chairman, the committee wants people to play an active role in the referendum and has amended the wording of the draft to be clearer.

Mr Thirapat says the Act permits polls on people’s opinions on the new constitution draft but the results cannot be revealed three days before the referendum takes place.

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

[sriracha john]

Majority Supports New Charter

A recent survey reveals that most people are supporting the new draft constitution; deeming to agree with the general content of the draft, they look forward to the upcoming national referendum on August 19.

According to the Assumption University’s ABAC Poll, 57% of those surveyed supports the final draft, while 23% showed strong disagreement, and 20% chose not to express their comment.

Supporting the draft constitution, major groups from the network of activists such as the Campaign for Popular Democracy said that despite existing flaws in the draft’s content, it is necessary to endorse the draft in order to mend the ongoing political turmoil and lead the country back to democracy.

The recent ABAC poll was conducted in 12 major provinces such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Songkhla, and Khon Kaen. The survey was conducted from July 5-14 based upon respondence from 3,146 people aged 18 and over in these major provinces.

According to Noppadon Kannikar, director of the university’s Center for Social Innovation in Management and Business Analysis, the majority of the respondents tend to agree with the general content of the draft charter, despite that numerous people chose to remain silent on the issue.

With an approval rate ranging from 55.9 to 95.5%, the majority supported such provisions as an eight-year limit on the prime minister’s term of office, politician’s impeachment and laws granting citizens rights to propose new laws.

- Thailand Outlook

[Mid]

Majority Supports New Charter

bless their little cotton soxs ,

has anyone seen a copy of the charter yet ??

Edited July 16, 2007 by Mid

[Jai Dee]

Matchima Group calls for prompt cancellation of 15th CDR Act

The Matchima (มัชฌิมา) Group is calling on the National Legislative Assembly to consider ending the 15th Council for Democratic Reform Act.

The leader of the Matchima (มัชฌิมา) Group Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin (สมศักดิ์ เทพสุทิน) expressed his belief that the National Legislative Assembly should expedite the cancellation of the 15th Council for Democratic Reform Act in order to allow political parties and political groups the opportunity to exercise their rights. Mr. Somsak cautioned that delays in cancelling the 15th CDR Act may cause complications in elections of Members of Parliament.

The Matchima Group leader said that legal measures are already in place to handle opposition to the upcoming public referendum, therefore the particular issue is not worrisome. Mr. Somsak added that the issue of the Internal Security Operations Command Act should be clearly explained to the public by the government in order to prevent dissent.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Few taking part in referendum in Phuket

Mr. Kittipong Teangkunakrit (กิตติพงศ์ เที่ยงคุณากฤต), the Phuket Election Office Director, says the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand is speedily conducting public relations activities to educate people about the 2007 charter draft and to urge them to take part in the constitution referendum on August 19th this year.

Mr. Kittipong says the EC has allowed Phuket residents who are living outside the province to participate in the referendum from July 10th to 19th. However, only 69 people have shown up so far, and the figure was very low when compared to the number of voters during the previous senatorial election, which is over 5,000.

Mr. Kittipong says the EC is aiming for about 60 percent of the population in Phuket to join the referendum on August 19th. The EC believes the majority of the voters will be teenagers who are over 18 years of age as it would the first time for them to exercise their voting rights.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Navy Chief concerned over grassroots people with lack of knowledge on charter draft

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy Headquarters Adm.Satirapan Keyanon (สถิรพันธ์ เกยานนท์) admits he is concerned over grassroots people who have a poor access into information on the constitution draft and the referendum.

The Navy Chief says about 85% of the grassroots people lacks knowledge on the charter draft; as a result, they might have a problem deciding whether to vote for in the constitution referendum or not. As for the middle-class people, he says they have sufficient knowledge on the charter draft and have a high tendency to exercise their voting rights.

Adm.Satirapan suggests that the Election Commission (EC) should arrange proactive public relations activities to educate people from all walks of life about the charter draft and the referendum method.

Adm.Satirapan says further that the Navy has prepared officials to provide general knowledge about the charter draft and the referendum for the general public. He also condemns those who undermine the constitution draft.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 July 2007

[Mid]

Few taking part in referendum in Phuket

good on 'em for voting ,

wonder how they knew what to vote though ,

has anybody seen a copy of the draft yet ??

[Jai Dee]

NLA speeds its PR work for the referendum hearing

The Chairman of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) Noranit Setabutr (นรนิต เศรษฐบุตร) speeds up public relations for the referendum, hoping to creat understandings among local residents.

Mr. Noranit earlier discussed with members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly in Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) in a bid to lay out public relations strategies for the referendum. The purpose of the plans is to provide people details of the new constitution before the referendum will be held. Meanwhile, local media, including local radio stations, newspapers, televisions, have been requested to help provide details of the new constitution so they will have enough information to consider on whether they will agree or disagree with the constitution.

People have been encouraged to cast ballots in the referendum on August 19th as well.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 17 July 2007

[Martin]

Effective and clean parliamentary government, based on representatives who are democratically elected, will only work if the representatives (MPs) are determined to make it work in reflection of their electors deeply-held belief that that is how things should work.

I find it hard to see how that belief can be deeply held by the electors at the same time as there is an inured acceptance of a hierarchical system of culture and power.

But we can't discuss that here. The rules under which we have to operate make any such discussion here as daft as trying to do a running commentary on a football match without ever mentioning one of the teams that is playing; not even its name, nor its managership, nor its players, nor what its players have just done with the ball.

Continuing the football match analogy, the two sides have just been kicking the ball from one to the other for 75 years, without either making a serious attemt to score in any of their matches. And, as long as the mood of the spectators is rampant apathy, that can be expected to go on, even if the rules are changed very slightly from time to time.

[Jai Dee]

RTN Chief denies being aware of plans to establish military politial party

The Commander in Chief of the Royal Thai Navy denied being aware of the planned establishment of a political party by military officers.

Royal Thai Navy Commander in Chief, and Council for National Security member Admiral Sathiraphan Keyanon (สถิรพันธ์ เกยานนท์) affirms that he has not been informed of plans to establish a political party by 6 of his military colleagues. Admiral Sathiraphan also said that Army Commander in Chief and Chairman of the Council for National Security Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin's participation in politics should be possible after his retirement.

The CNS member voiced his support for the Internal Security Operations Command Act, despite opposition from many parties. Admiral Sathiraphan believes that the ISOC Act will allow authorities greater efficiency in conducting their duties.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Democrat Secretary General not shaken over 82% unknown about referendum

The Secretary-General of the Democrat Party, Mr. Suthep Thuagsuban, is not worried about the result of a recent survey, revealing that 82 percent of the respondents are unaware of the 2007 constitution referendum. He says people have their own judgment of what is good for them and the country, and thus, he is not worried about the anti-charter group.

Mr. Suthep says the interim government, the Election Commission and the Ministry of Interior must expedite the public relations on the referendum proactively. At the same time, different ministries must work together in encouraging public members to take part in the referendum.

The Democrat Secretary-General admits that his party has prepared for the MP candidates but the announcement would be made prior the application date. He affirms that his party has set the working committees to tackle national issues, particularly the southern unrest and the economy.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 18 July 2007