People want a simple, concise charter, Thai poll shows

[webfact]

People want a simple, concise charter, poll shows
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Most people want the Constitution Drafting Committee to write a charter that is easy to understand, protects people's rights and is concise but comprehensive, a Dusit Poll survey released yesterday shows.

The survey polled 1,274 people nationwide from Monday to Saturday.

About 85 per cent want it to be easy to understand, 82 per cent of respondents want a charter that is concise and comprehensive, and 77 per cent hope it is hard to revoke.

Another 72 per cent want it to be in line with the Thai way of life, 66 per cent hope it is acceptable to the international community, 65 per cent would like it to prevent a parliamentary dictatorship and 60 per cent want it written from scratch.

About 84 per cent believe the CDC led by Meechai Ruchupan will help solve the country's problems, 70 per cent believe a public referendum will provide public participation in the charter drafting process and 63 per cent believe the CDC will draft a charter that benefits the country.

Another 60 per cent said the CDC would write a better charter that was democratically accepted by the world community and 58 per cent said the CDC would complete the job within the allotted 180 days.

Asked what their biggest concern was regarding the drafting process, 81 per cent of respondents fear the CDC members will quarrel over difference of opinion, 75 per cent are worried the charter draft will be rejected and 71 per cent fear that some content may favour particular groups.

Another 62 per cent are worried the CDC is working under pressure imposed by the junta and society and 54 per cent fear the charter may not solve the country's problems.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party deputy leader Satit Pitutecha urged Meechai to ensure the charter had organic laws that prevent political office-holders from having to buy support to get elected.

He also said the charter should ensure that people demanding benefits from political office-holders was a thing of the past without restricting politicians from carrying out their duty as the public's representatives in Parliament.

He said the charter must allow the public to serve as a checks-and-balances mechanism on politicians and ensure corrupt politicians were dealt with harshly.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/People-want-a-simple-concise-charter-poll-shows-30271149.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-19

[wangsuda]

One would think that those who write charters/constitutions would learn from the past 18 (or is it 19) mistakes. We all know that will never happen. Time for another convoluted mess that will be neutralized via coup in 2-4 years.

[deckape]

What a coincidence. ..isn't that the kind of charter they recently announced would be written?

[Praematura]

And in other news polls show 99% of Thais think these polls are bs. These coups mysteriously seem to happen when certain folks are forced into mandatory retirement at 60.

Edited October 18, 2015 by Praematura

[chainarong]

I don't think the Dusit poll would be of much help they haven't found the road out of BKK to ask people out side what they think , besides simple Constitutions would be nice, however anybody who has taken the time to read one will know that it needs to have all avenues covered, with no room for any coups or dictatorships, so in that regard Thailand's constitution still has along way to go , perhaps it is too simple, it has great big holes in it so you could jump through, being all for one purpose, control from the elite .

[phoenixdoglover]

"He [Democrat Party deputy leader Satit Pitutecha] also said the charter should ensure that people demanding benefits from political office-holders was a thing of the past without restricting politicians from carrying out their duty as the public's representatives in Parliament."

There are way too many Thai people that don't understand (or willfully distort) the nature of a representative democracy. There is no way the charter can prevent people from voting for the parliamentary candidate they think will benefit them the most.

People want it simple...the Charter drafters would have to start from scratch for that to be even remotely possible. It's not going to happen. The Charter will be the usual complex, overwrought, and contradictory mess.

[oneday]

Concise, simple and easy to read will in all likelihood make it easy for people with nefarious intent to find loopholes. Closing the loopholes will make it complicated.

That's life!

[yellowboat]

It cannot be made simple as the wealthy will not benefit. As long as there is no equality, there will be no concise or fair charter.

[jcsmith]

One would think that those who write charters/constitutions would learn from the past 18 (or is it 19) mistakes. We all know that will never happen. Time for another convoluted mess that will be neutralized via coup in 2-4 years.

I think has little to do with the charters, and more to do with the fact that the military does not answer to the democratically elected government.

There is little doubt IMO that the military looked the other way at the Suthep situation (both then and now) because their goals were aligned in ousting the Shinawatra led government. In most countries of the world that would be considered treason.

[unclueng]

The Constitution of the United States of America contains 4,543 words including the signatures.

[waldroj]

The headline reads that people want a simple, concise charter.

Apart from deep suspicions about the role of the “crisis committee”, the recently-rejected draft suffered because it tried to do too much. It was simply just too complex and too large (over 50,000 words and 315 separate articles).

The challenge now, is for CDC Mark II to produce a much simpler document!

There should be no reason why this cannot be achieved. After all, the Constitution should be nothing more than the set of fundamental principles which future governments and their lawmakers must conform to. In that context it could/should be a simple document, but it should also be one that can be amended but not revoked.

On the other hand, the job for the NRSC is going to be much more daunting – that of preparing guidelines to allow reform to take place (given the fractured nature of the country and the almost impossible divide that currently exists). Only then can the NLA step in and prepare the Legislation needed to complement the ideals laid down by the Constitution in a fair and equitable manner, that is applicable to all Thai citizens, and (more importantly) will be followed by them.

It’s not the Charters that have failed in the past, it’s that people have not followed the laws (thus allowing the army to step in and seize control).

Edited October 19, 2015 by waldroj

[Srikcir]

One would think that those who write charters/constitutions would learn from the past 18 (or is it 19) mistakes. We all know that will never happen. Time for another convoluted mess that will be neutralized via coup in 2-4 years.

I think has little to do with the charters, and more to do with the fact that the military does not answer to the democratically elected government.

There is little doubt IMO that the military looked the other way at the Suthep situation (both then and now) because their goals were aligned in ousting the Shinawatra led government. In most countries of the world that would be considered treason.

It was considered treason under the abolished 2007 Constitution and still treason under current Sections 113 and 114 of the Criminal Code.

So much for obeying law and order.