Public referendum hinges on NCPO's discretion

BANGKOK, 20 March 2015 (NNT) - The spokesperson of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has stated that the decision whether to hold a public referendum on the new constitution rests with the government and the National Council for Peace and Order.

CDC Spokesperson Kamnoon Sithisaman revealed to the press today that the charter drafting committee has reviewed 205 out of the 315 articles in the first draft of the new constitution.

He affirmed that the CDC has coordinated with and taken input from the National Reform Council (NRC) throughout the entire process. Furthermore the committee will convene from May 25 to July 23 to consider the input compiled from all groups.

In accordance with the interim charter currently in place, the new constitution must be approved by the NRC before it is enacted.

Mr. Kamnoon said while the majority of the CDC agrees that the new constitution must also be approved by the public, the decision on whether to hold a public referendum ultimately rests with the government and the National Council for Peace and Order.


-- NNT 2015-03-20

A non-elected government playing democracy-games!!

Oh, please ...

The decision whether to hold a public referendum on the new constitution rests SOLELY with General Prayut. And his position has been that his handcrafted Interim Charter does not require a referendum. He has further threatened the nation with a prolonged military-lead government and martial law well into 2016 (and maybe beyond) should a referendum be ALLOWED. His reasoning seems to be that if Thais want their rights and liberties back (within the framework of HIS charter), they must give up their right to vote on the draft charter.

The draft 2007 Constitution passed a referendum with only 51% in support. And that draft charter was very liberal compared to the Orwellion 2015 draft charter. I can't imagine Prayut taking a chance that HIS charter will fail to get even 50% support. His viewpoint is that the 2015 draft charter is the best HE can deliver and the 60 million Thai people MUST learn to live with it!

Thank you Mr. Democratic Soldier.