Draft Charter Ready For Vote

[Jai Dee]

CNS Chairman is not worried about bribes for people to reject charter

The Royal Thai Army (ทหารบก) Commander-in-Chief (ผู้บัญชาการ) and Council for National Security (CNS) (คณะมนตรีความมั่นคงแห่งชาติ) Chairman (ประธาน), Gen. (พลเอก) Sonthi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน), believes (เชื่อ) the bribes for people to reject the 2007 constitution draft will not affect the national referendum because he has already assigned relevant agencies (หน่วยงานที่เกี่ยวข้อง) to help public members understand the content of the new charter draft.

Gen. Sonthi says different ministries are educating people about the differences between the 1997 constitution and the 2007 charter draft. He says the Ministry of Interior is campaigning for people to vote in the referendum on August 19th and 20th, while the Royal Thai Army is helping people in the three southern border provinces who have difficulties in understanding Thai language to comprehend the charter draft and the referendum.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 August 2007

[jumnien]

Today's Nation reports that the military junta will be sending soldiers out to hunt for vote buying. Any one want to bet that they find some? Any vote that isn't for their constitution must me bought, how could anyone vote against big brother?

[Jai Dee]

Khon Kaen Governor urges people to take part in referendum

Khon Kaen (ขอนแก่น) Governor (ผู้ว่าราชการ) Panchai Bavornrattanapran (ปานชัย บวรรัตนปราณ) is travel to different areas of the province to meet with the local villagers, youths, children and students today (August 8th) while encouraging eligible voters to take part in the 2007 constitution referendum on August 19th and 20th.

Mr. Panchai says Khon Kaen has set up 2,625 booths for people to vote in the referendum, and the province is aiming for at least 60 percent of eligible voters in the province to take part in this event. He has also asked people to read and understand the new charter draft because this will be their first time to voice their opinions of Thailand’s constitution.

The Deputy Governor of Khon Kaen, Mr. Songpol Jampaphan, presided over the project for Public Health Volunteers to help publicize the constitution to the local people in the province. The project involves 200 Public Health Volunteers who will educate public members about the new charter draft so they can decide whether they will approve or disapprove it in the referendum.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC is ready to hold referendum

The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand says it is ready to hold the 2007 constitution referendum on August 19th.

Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham (สดศรี สัตยธรรม) reports that the EC is well prepared, and is currently printing the referendum ballots. She says the ballots could not possibly be counterfeited. She also believes more than 50 percent of eligible voters will participate in the referendum since they could take an extra day off to travel back to their residences.

Referring to the news about former MPs are buying the votes of citizens in an attempt to overthrow the 2007 constitution draft, Mrs. Sodsri says she has not yet been informed about the case.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 08 August 2007

[hammered]

The Junta are getting clever at this PR stuff. I dont doubt that there is money floating around for a no vote. It would be stupid to deny this. That, however, the Junta have decided to play this up presents them as the enemy of vote buyers and explains and to a large degree undermines in advance any largish no vote, which will probably not be large enough to win anyway. Lets see what action they take to try and impact on this practice. There is certainly a legal framework in place to deal with buyers and their parties.

[marshbags]

(BangkokPost.com) Breaking news 15:30

Isoc told to probe bribery cases in Isan

Quote

Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas asked Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) to investigate area in the northeastern region where a group of people are believed to have paid 200 baht for an eligible voter to vote down a draft constitution at a national referendum.

Gen Boonrawd said provincial governors in the region confirmed that the reports are true.

Once Isoc finds a party responsible for the bribery, they will either warn them or let Election Commission in each province to take care of the matter.

Unquote

Ref url for full news item

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=120731

If they wander around the Amphur Maung area, They will find plenty of evidence

They never give up do they ( EX TRT )?????

I can confirm this from local experience once again and sadly it has nothing to do with helping the less well off, who think 200 baht is a lot of money at the present time.

How sad it all is.

marshbags

Edited August 8, 2007 by marshbags

[Jai Dee]

P-Net urges EC to investigate state officials claimed they were threatening if the charter overthrown

The People's Network for Elections (P-Net) discloses that some state officials are inducing people to vote for the 2007 constitution draft in the national referendum on August 19th.

The P-Net Vice President, Gen. Saiyud Kerdphon (สายหยุด เกิดผล), says the political situation of Thailand is becoming clearer. However, he views that the Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief, Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin, should not enter politics because many former military figures who became politicians did not succeed. He suggests those who would like to play politics to apply their knowledge and abilities to develop democracy instead.

Gen. Saiyud says the P-Net will set up a center at Manangkasila (มนังคศิลา) Mansion between August 14th and 19th to investigate the situation during the referendum and to voice public opinions and ideas on the new constitution draft. He admits that the previous activities held by the government were not very impressive in the public perception.

The P-Net Vice President says the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand need to look at into some state officials who allegedly threaten their subordinates if the new charter draft has not been approved. He says the P-Net will organize neutral agencies and dispatch more than 4,000 volunteers to different regions to monitor unlawful activities and ensure transparency during the referendum.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

EC Chairman believes there are bribes in Buriram

The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand Chairman, Mr. Apichart Sukhagganond (อภิชาติ สุขัคคานนท์), believes there are bribes for people to reject the 2007 constitution draft in Buriram (บุรีรัมย์) province, and he has instructed the EC officials to carry out absolute measures if evidence has been obtained.

Mr. Apichart traveled to Buriram province yesterday to see whether people have been paid 200 baht each to disapprove the new charter draft in the constitution referendum on August 19th. Following the inspection, Mr. Apichart says the situation is not very serious, but he has reminded the EC officials to look into this issue and cooperate with the police officials in taking legal actions against the wrongdoers.

The EC Chairman says no irregular activities have been found in the provinces of Surin (สุรินทร์) and Si Sa Ket (ศรีสะเกษ) yet.

As for the taxi vehicles with stickers campaigning against the new constitution draft, Mr. Apichart says legal actions will be taken if they are illegal.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 August 2007

[jumnien]

My crystal ball tells me that the military-approved election commission will find no vote buying irregularities amongst the pro-military-constitution groups.

[Jai Dee]

Interior Minister ordrers BMA and Metro Police to inspect taxis w/ stickers campaigning against charter

Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงศ์อารยะ) has assigned the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the Metropolitan Police to look into the taxis with stickers campaigning against the 2007 constitution draft as they could be against the law.

Mr. Aree says there have been reports that taxi drivers have been paid to attach stickers campaigning against the new charter draft on their vehicles. He says the BMA and the Metro Police are investigating this case, and he would like the general public to give cooperation by providing relevant reports to the authority. He says negotiating with the taxi representatives is not necessary for now, as the BMA is currently dealing with this matter.

Mr. Aree says the Interior Ministry will facilitate people who will be traveling to risky areas to vote in the 2007 constitution referendum on August 19th. He says the government will reward provincial governors who are able to draw in more than 60 percent of voters in their respective provinces to take part in the referendum. He says Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์) will award them with shields of honor.

The Interior Minister also believes people in the three southern border provinces of Thailand have a better understanding of the new constitution draft and the referendum.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 August 2007

[Losangels]

Mr. Aree says there have been reports that taxi drivers have been paid to attach stickers campaigning against the new charter draft on their vehicles. Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 August 2007

I've seen a couple of Tuk Tuk with the stickers on the roof this morning.

[Jai Dee]

PM visits northeastern provinces today

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ ) says he has not received the report on the confiscation of identification cards from villagers in northeastern Thailand, but he will visit the region to follow up on this matter today (August 10th). The

Gen. Surayud says the interim government has not received further information on this issue yet. He says the identification cards of villagers in the Northeast have been taken away so they could not vote in the 2007 constitution referendum on August 19th. However, the Prime Minister will visit the northeastern provinces of Nakhon Panom, Kalasin and Mukdahan today to gather more information from the local people on this issue.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงค์อารยะ) will also travel with the Prime Minister to the Northeast today, but he declines to comment on the seizure of northeastern villagers’ identification cards.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Surayud to ask northeastern people about alleged vote buying

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Friday that he would ask northeastern people whether they knew anything about allegations that the people in the region had received money to vote against the draft constitution.

Surayud was speaking to reporters while leaving on a military plane at the Don Muang Military Airport to visit northeastern provinces at 8:30 am.

He is scheduled to visit Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin, Mukdahan and Nakhon Phanom.

Surayud said he had not received official reports about the alleged vote buying so he would try to gather first-hand information from the people there.

Source: The Nation - 10 August 2007

[hammered]

PM visits northeastern provinces today

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont (สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ ) says he has not received the report on the confiscation of identification cards from villagers in northeastern Thailand, but he will visit the region to follow up on this matter today (August 10th). The

Gen. Surayud says the interim government has not received further information on this issue yet. He says the identification cards of villagers in the Northeast have been taken away so they could not vote in the 2007 constitution referendum on August 19th. However, the Prime Minister will visit the northeastern provinces of Nakhon Panom, Kalasin and Mukdahan today to gather more information from the local people on this issue.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Aree Wong-araya (อารีย์ วงค์อารยะ) will also travel with the Prime Minister to the Northeast today, but he declines to comment on the seizure of northeastern villagers’ identification cards.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

All the old tricks are coming out.

[Jai Dee]

EC chairman affirms to arrange charter referendum transparently

Election Commission (EC) of Thailand Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond (อภิชาติ สุขัคคานนท์) delivers policy to the EC directors from across the country, insisting that they should try best to make sure that the constitution referendum is transparent and take actions against those who violate the referendum law immediately.

Regarding vote-buying activities to reject the constitution draft, the chairman says the EC is gathering evidence as much as possible to take legal actions against people who buy votes, especially those distributing red T-shirts in Buriram (บุรีรัมย์) province to campaign against the charter draft.

The EC reports that most of the alleged vote buying takes place in the Northeast. Mr Apichart admits that it is difficult to prevent the referendum fraud as there is no law authorizing theEC to punish the wrongdoers.

The chairman affirms that the EC works fairly and transparently and it is 100% ready to arrange the referendum on August 19th. As for demonstrators at Sanam Luang (สนามหลวง) and taxis which are campaigning against the charter draft, he says EC will take actions against them if it can prove that they have an intention to create chaos.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[Mid]

Taxi drivers warned over anti-charter stickers

Published on August 10, 2007

Interior Minister Aree Wongsearaya yesterday said he had ordered the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Metropolitan Police to investigate taxis that display stickers against the draft constitution.

He said the Interior Ministry was checking the stickers.

He also called on people to inform the ministry, the BMA and police if they knew of vote-buying by groups opposed to the draft constitution ahead of the national referendum on August 19.

"It is not against the law to display stickers, as long as drivers have not been hired to do so by groups who want to reject the draft charter," Aree said.

snip

nationmultimedia.com

[hammered]

EC Chairman believes there are bribes in Buriram

The Election Commission (EC) of Thailand Chairman, Mr. Apichart Sukhagganond (อภิชาติ สุขัคคานนท์), believes there are bribes for people to reject the 2007 constitution draft in Buriram (บุรีรัมย์) province, and he has instructed the EC officials to carry out absolute measures if evidence has been obtained.

Mr. Apichart traveled to Buriram province yesterday to see whether people have been paid 200 baht each to disapprove the new charter draft in the constitution referendum on August 19th. Following the inspection, Mr. Apichart says the situation is not very serious, but he has reminded the EC officials to look into this issue and cooperate with the police officials in taking legal actions against the wrongdoers.

The EC Chairman says no irregular activities have been found in the provinces of Surin (สุรินทร์) and Si Sa Ket (ศรีสะเกษ) yet.

As for the taxi vehicles with stickers campaigning against the new constitution draft, Mr. Apichart says legal actions will be taken if they are illegal.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 August 2007

Some perspective on vote buying. This time around 200 baht may seema reasonable amount to flood affected villagers and it may also seem a reasonable opportunity for local politicians to reaffirm their position in the community. However this is a noticeable drop from previous elections. Why? The amount seems to be linked to how much votes are needed. I would guess the buyers here are not trying to win the vote but to just get a reasonable no vote to mark the election as a not resounding success for the Junta while still allowing the eelction to go on and the politicos to get back to what they do best.

Compare this to the April 2 election when the powers in control needed a certain number of votes that they had previously stated. In a couple of villages I know of the village headman come voting day rounded up eevryone and told em we are all going down the polling station to vote TRT. This was not an option, and it was also pointed out people would watch how votes were cast - remember the positioning of the booths controversy?. Well this went off smoothly and people were deliverd 500-800 baht for the inconvenience caused to them. I never found out exactly what the headmen got for their efforts but heard it was significant. Previous to this nobody in the villages I know of had got more than 400 baht and that was a new high in the 2005 election. Now obviously the powers that used to be have lost control of some of the state apparatus and some of the headman network and are not so sure of the outcome. Amounts drop.

[Jai Dee]

Police prepared for referendum

The Deputy Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police, Pol. Gen. Wichien Pojanaphosri (วิเชียร พจน์โพธิ์ศรี), chaired the workshop for superintendents to acknowledge the operation for maintaining order during the August 19th referendum. Pol. Wichien says the Election Commission (EC) officials will inform the duties of local officials in each voting booth.

In the meantime, the Commander of the Metropolitan Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Adisorn Nonsee (อดิศร นนทรีย์), has assigned police in all districts to obtain information of vote-buying activities in an attempt to prevent people from voting in the referendum. He has instructed police to prevent wrongdoers from creating disorder on August 19th, and they can arrest them straight away. He says the wrongdoers will face no more than 10 years of imprisonment or a fine of no more than 200,000 baht.

As for the stickers campaigning against the referendum and the new charter draft, Pol. Lt. Gen. Adisorn says the stickers can be shown if there are no hidden intentions.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Transport Ministry reduces fares for people traveling to vote in charter referendum

The Ministry of Transport instructs all transportation units to reduce fares during the period from August 17th – 20th to facilitate people traveling to vote in the constitution referendum.

Transport Minister Admiral Thira Haochaoroen (ธีระ ห้าวเจริญ) discloses that on August 19th the underground train will provide free service from 06.00 – 17.00 hrs. As for private water transportation operators, they are requested to decrease the fares as follows. The fare of rapid boats in the Chao Phaya (เจ้าพระยา) River is reduced to 10 baht per single trip and the fare of other types of boats is two baht a single trip.

At the same time, the Transport Co., Ltd. will provide a 50% fare discount for passengers who show their identification cards. The State Railway of Thailand also announces to reduce the fares of the second- and third-class train trips from August 17th – 20th.

The minister expresses his confidence that the fare reduction will motivate more people to vote in the charter referendum on August 19th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Democrat Party alleged that some political groups funded by Ex-PM

Secretary General of the Democrat Party Suthep Thaugsuba (สุเทพ เทือกสุบรรณ) alleged that two-three political groups have been provided funding by ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinnawatra.

Following the visit in the northeastern region, Mr. Suthep says local residents have good attitudes to the Democrat Party. He expects that many of them will register as members of the party. He says the MPs of the party to run in the election in the northeastern region will become more obvious August 19th.

At the same time, the Democrat Party has urged people to keep an eye on old power clique who may spend large sums of money to boycott charter draft.

Mr. Suthep says he has yet discussed with Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung (เฉลิม อยู่บำรุง) of whether he would play a political role.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Taxi drivers warned over anti-charter stickers

Ministry of Transport and the Department of Land Transport (DLT) said that it is not against the law for cabs display stickers, as long as drivers have not been hired to do so by groups who want to reject the draft charter.

There have also been reports that some taxi have refused to take passengers with favorable attitude toward the constitution draft. Minister of Transport Admiral Thira Hao-Chareon (เอกธีระ ห้าวเจริญ) remarks that it is inappropriate, while asking for cooperation from the DLT to consider on whether or not it violates the law.

If the discussion outcomes rules that the cab stickers violates the Motor Vehicle Act, cab drivers will face a a fine of 1,000 baht following the article 66/2 of the Public Car Service Act.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[sriracha john]

Taxis told to stop displaying stickers critical of draft charter

The government yesterday warned taxi drivers to remove anti-charter stickers from their vehicles and against expelling passengers who express support for the constitution. If they persist, they could face legal action. PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said taxi drivers will be fined up to 1,000 baht if their cars carry the stickers and it could be worse if they drop passengers before reaching their destinations. The warning came after complaints from the public that many taxis were carrying stickers opposing the charter before the referendum on Aug 19. Many taxi drivers were sympathisers of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his now dissolved Thai Rak Thai party. They held rallies to back Mr Thaksin during the political crisis when he faced street protests led by the People's Alliance for Democracy before the military coup.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/10Aug2007_news12.php

[Mid]

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan said taxi drivers will be fined up to 1,000 baht if their cars carry the stickers

interesting that you chose not to highlight this .....................................

[Mid]

without any discussion of the No vote , the referendum is a whitewashing waste of public funds .

[hammered]

without any discussion of the No vote , the referendum is a whitewashing waste of public funds .

Agreed. The no vote proponents or some of them have been on the TV Charter debate. I think the TRT group are holding a rally, which will be reported on TV. There are no ads around. This may or may not be enough.

However, we also live in the reality of Thai politics where the vote is not about what is in the charter but about other power related stuff. In this the charter referedum closely mirrors general elections. Sadly the denial of information and the denial of a platform for your opponents which TRT refined heavily has now also been grafted on by the Junta. Power games between two sides who dont believe in a fair and open discusion, but nothing new in Thai politics. Then again both sides will also argue that the other one will only manipulate the result if they dont resort to whatever. Thailand does deserve better in an ideal world. Sadly this aint one.

[Jai Dee]

Policemen instructed to closely monitor movements of old power cliques

Royal Thai Police Deputy Commissioner General Wongkot Maneerin (วงกต มณีรินทร์) has instructed officials to closely monitor movements of the power cliques. The instruction was seen as a move to prevent possible uprising during the referendum.

Gen Wongkot has instructed to list names of power cliques and gunmen for fear that they may create violence during the referendum. In addition, he has assigned policemen to inspect weapons and seized all of illegal weapons.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Administrative officials cooperate with EC in examining ID cards

Permanent Secretary of Interior Phongphayom Vasaphuti (พงษ์โพยม วาศภูติ) instructs all provinces to cooperate with the Election Commission (EC) to inspect rumors that people’s identification cards have been seized to prevent them from voting in the constitution referendum.

Mr Phongphayom says the rumors take place in many provinces in the Northeast. He confirms provincial administrative officials will work in close cooperation with EC as well as police and military officers to randomly examine identification cards. People who do not carry their identification card will be warned and perhaps fined.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[Jai Dee]

Poll says 70% of people will approve charter draft

Poll shows that more than 70% of people will approve the constitution draft in the referendum and there will be only 22% of “no” votes. The majority of the residents in the Deep South is expected to vote for “yes.”

Dean of the Faculty of Political Science of Chulanongkorn University, Jaras Suwanmala (จรัส สุวรรณมาลา), announces that the poll conducted with 19,441 people from across the country indicates that about 87% of the respondents has learned about the referendum while 13% has not.

In addition, 69% says they will vote in the referendum and 8% says they will not. 23% has yet decided whether to vote or not. 47% is satisfied with the constitution draft while 17% is dissatisfied. However, as much as 36% admits they do not have knowledge about what the charter draft says and males express more satisfaction with the draft more than females.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

[hammered]

Administrative officials cooperate with EC in examining ID cards

Permanent Secretary of Interior Phongphayom Vasaphuti (พงษ์โพยม วาศภูติ) instructs all provinces to cooperate with the Election Commission (EC) to inspect rumors that people’s identification cards have been seized to prevent them from voting in the constitution referendum.

Mr Phongphayom says the rumors take place in many provinces in the Northeast. He confirms provincial administrative officials will work in close cooperation with EC as well as police and military officers to randomly examine identification cards. People who do not carry their identification card will be warned and perhaps fined.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 10 August 2007

A nasty game. Nice to know the vote buyers dont trust those being bought. It is nice to know that the vote buyers dont care if those they buy get in trouble. In the needs of even handedness and to show their real democratic credentials. I await the condemnation of such undemocratic and anti-poor people actions by the UDD/DAAD/PTV "pro-democracy(sic)" people. (Tongue back in cheek and certainly not holding any breath)

[terryp]

Do ANY of the 50 odd million poorly educated Thais have any idea what the h_ll this is all about?.............

all the Thais I’ve spoken to did not get past the first few pages of the little yellow book, just far too difficult for them to even get a basic idea of what it’s all about

IMO there should be a massive PR campaign to show both sides of the coin, before any ridicules vote