New Thai charter allows freedom of expression in public with conditions

[lucky11]

How can speech be called "freedom of expression" if there are CONDITIONS?

Of course it can.

Examples:

You can go and buy any video you like, as long as it is not pornography.

You are free to go (from prison) as long as you don't leave the country.

You are free to comment on Thaivisa as long as you stick to the posting rules

[lucky11]

In other words, if you don't like the charter or you are a red shirt then you will never be allowed to express your opinion.

They will be able to vote against it in the referendum if they don't like it!!

You can't get more freedom of expression than that.

[jesimps]

Thai democracy is no democracy.

Democrazy.

Democracy is the when the people say who governs them. When that govt serves its term of office the people either re-elect or vote in another party. Thai democracy is the same as anywhere else, you can't say it's not democracy because your party never gets enough votes. That's called sour grapes.

[elgordo38]

That's how it's done in most countries these days. I would say fair enough but then again I know how selective these guys are

With some conditions? hmmm. I guess this constitution would not help Jonathan Head and the pickle he is in. I notice that there is a definite trend in trying to silence journalists the worst case being in China. Unless they start reigning in these defamation laws nothing changes.

[elgordo38]

Democracy from the autocracy.

Serfs in the Middle Ages had more democracy than Thais under this charter.

And maybe that's the whole point of the junta-crafted charter - permanent rule by absolute power through the aristocrats.

No further coups needed to execute democratic societies.

I guess after 19 failed coups they are finally learning how to control people in a more gentile manner velvet whip and all. Here let us put a leash on you now you can go outside and play nice.

[lucky11]

Thai democracy is no democracy.

Democrazy.

Democracy is the when the people say who governs them. When that govt serves its term of office the people either re-elect or vote in another party. Thai democracy is the same as anywhere else, you can't say it's not democracy because your party never gets enough votes. That's called sour grapes.

So if the current charter writers create/design an electoral system that ensures that no (Shin) party wins in a 'vote of the people' in free and fair elections, then you can't argue that it is not Democratic!!

Edited February 8, 2016 by lucky11

[TheCruncher]

anyone can express their opinions at any public gathering although doing so is subject to some conditions.

I specially like the part in red. Did they elaborate on all the conditions?

[elgordo38]

anyone can express their opinions at any public gathering although doing so is subject to some conditions.

I specially like the part in red. Did they elaborate on all the conditions?

They are in red because the conditions will change from time to time due to trial and error.

[MZurf]

Thai democracy is no democracy.

Democrazy.

Democracy is the when the people say who governs them. When that govt serves its term of office the people either re-elect or vote in another party. Thai democracy is the same as anywhere else, you can't say it's not democracy because your party never gets enough votes. That's called sour grapes.

So if the current charter writers create/design an electoral system that ensures that no (Shin) party wins in a 'vote of the people' in free and fair elections, then you can't argue that it is not Democratic!!

Yes, if the system is rigged so that certain parties cannot win then of course it's not democratic! Are you having a "slow" day??

[lucky11]

Who said anything about rigging them? What I meant was the banning of unaffordable and unwise populist policies to buy the vote of gullible people. Surely, you want true Democracy to prevail with elections taking place on a level playing field, don't you?

I believe that there is a strong emphasis on making corruption that more harder to get away with - this has upset the Pheu Thai party as it is their life-blood to a prosperous life at he expense of everyone else.

Anyway, the PTP threw away the Democracy book once they bought their way to power and proceeded to play by their own rules. In doing this, they were no more democratic than the current government is.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[tbthailand]

Thai democracy is no democracy.

Democrazy.

Democracy is the when the people say who governs them. When that govt serves its term of office the people either re-elect or vote in another party. Thai democracy is the same as anywhere else, you can't say it's not democracy because your party never gets enough votes. That's called sour grapes.

So if the current charter writers create/design an electoral system that ensures that no (Shin) party wins in a 'vote of the people' in free and fair elections, then you can't argue that it is not Democratic!!

sure he can because this charter doesn't allow for the elected government to actually govern. It provides for continued control by the same clowns driving the car now...

It's not a question of who wins the elections. It's a question of sovereignty of the people and if the power of the government really is in their hands.

[phoenixdoglover]

Who said anything about rigging them? What I meant was the banning of unaffordable and unwise populist policies to buy the vote of gullible people. Surely, you want true Democracy to prevail with elections taking place on a level playing field, don't you?

I believe that there is a strong emphasis on making corruption that more harder to get away with - this has upset the Pheu Thai party as it is their life-blood to a prosperous life at he expense of everyone else.

Anyway, the PTP threw away the Democracy book once they bought their way to power and proceeded to play by their own rules. In doing this, they were no more democratic than the current government is.

Regarding "banning of unaffordable an unwise populist policies", I believe that is unrealistic.

In any government approximating a democracy, whether local regional or national, the candidates vying for election will propose programs. Some of these will be unwise according to some people. Some of these will be unaffordable, incurring government debt.

None of this politicking can be banned. It is inevitable. It is up to voters to judge the merits and live with the consequences.

Malfeasance in office? Now that is something to be curtailed.

[aussiandrew]

Nothing like a few conditions to prevent freedom of expression!