Thai Charter: Conditional permission for public assembly

[webfact]

Conditional permission for public assembly
KHANITTHA THEPPHAJORN
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- THE RIGHT to freedom of assembly could be restricted under seven conditions in the new charter, the Constitution Drafting Committee concluded late on Wednesday.

The conditions limiting peaceful demonstration under the new charter include: protecting national security; protecting public safety; maintaining law and order; maintaining good morals of people; protecting public health; and protecting other people's rights and liberty. It will also be stipulated that freedom of assembly can only be exercised when absolutely necessary.

As for academic freedom to criticise court verdicts, the CDC agreed to protect honest analysis and criticism in accordance with academic principles.

As for access to basic education, the charter drafters decided to defer the decision in relation to what should be done with the state's obligation to commit a certain amount of funding on a per-person basis for basic education, saying that well-to-do citizens may not need this funding.

In relation to creating a media association, the CDC added one explicit role for these associations - they need to consider complaints made by those already affected by the mass media.

As for the dissemination of media broadcasting frequencies, the charter drafters chose to adapt Article 47 of the abrogated 2007 charter. Under the new charter, the principles of free and fair competition and access to quality media for all will be taken into consideration in terms of broadcast media and telecommunications fees. This would ensure that maintaining low costs for consumers would take priority over profits for state and private firms.

Charter drafters insisted that public benefit should come first and that they hoped to see a lower cost of entry in state-organised auctions for those wanting to operate broadcast media by obtaining media frequencies.

The CDC noted that previously, making profits for the state was the sole goal and it was done without consideration as to how this was done and how much those who obtained a licence could charge the end consumers.

The one debate that went unsettled among the charter drafters was the clause on preventing media proprietors from dominating and monopolising news presentation, which might affect citizens' right to information. The drafters have decided to discuss this matter at a later date.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Conditional-permission-for-public-assembly-30252007.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-16

[JOC]

>> It will also be stipulated that freedom of assembly can only be exercised when absolutely necessary.<<

Yes freedom of speech and assembly are indeed dangerous animals!!

Should only be used in case of emergency.......................

[aussieinthailand]

Who needs to go too N Korea? seems there is a little one here being drawn up now by "good people"

You guy's that supported this, how ya feeling now? Loop holes written into law for the rich elites only.

New laws of public assembly.

Gee what's next? all people from the wrong political persuasion have to wear a star on their shirts in public?

You have a compliant? off too the camps for an attitude adjustment for you.

[chainarong]

Regardless of the intent of the word Democracy , don't get side tracked on small issues , this is just one of many in western democratic society where you will need to have a permit to hold public assembly , just because the word is Democracy it doesn't mean everything is free and freedom reigns supreme, far from it, every week Western Governments are curbing the peoples freedom under one rule or another, all democracy means in general is we can give the leader of our countries the finger or the flick which ever comes first and they will never change that , they don't dare too.

[Caveat Emptor]

Will an assembly in support of this government be regarded as Absolutely Necessary ?

Oh I'm sure that would get the necessary permission.

[Eric Loh]

Fix all the laws and conditions you want. If the judges interpret the laws in their own idioscrantic way like they did when they ruled the Bangkok shutdown as legit, we will still have issues. Judiciary reform should come hand in hand with new laws.

[wabothai]

The limitations allow for a friendly neighbourhood chat, nothing more.

[rickirs]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Regardless of the intent of the word Democracy , don't get side tracked on small issues , this is just one of many in western democratic society where you will need to have a permit to hold public assembly , just because the word is Democracy it doesn't mean everything is free and freedom reigns supreme, far from it, every week Western Governments are curbing the peoples freedom under one rule or another, all democracy means in general is we can give the leader of our countries the finger or the flick which ever comes first and they will never change that , they don't dare too. width=32 alt=coffee1.gif>

"Curb", "moderate" but not PREVENT. Some WESTERN DEMOCRATIC countries even allow CIVIL DISOBEDIANCE.