Meechai warns politicians who spread falsehood about charter draft



BANGKOK: -- Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan warned today (Monday) that he might introduce a new provision in the charter draft to deal with politicians who lied or deliberately distorted the draft to cause public confusion.

While reiterating that the CDC is open to divergent opinions about the charter draft from stakeholders, he noted that some of the comments are totally unacceptable. He cited a critic who by the name of “yood dudcharit prathet thai” who posted in his Facebook page an infographic of distorted content of the charter draft.

Accusing the critic of giving false information to the public, Mr Meechai said he found the comment totally unacceptable because the information is false. He said he might consult the government on how to deal with this problem.

He insisted that this was not a matter of suppression of free expressions but enforcement of the law to deal with falsehood and lies “and if politicians do not stop lying, certain measures may be incorporated in the charter draft to deal with the problem.”

The CDC chairman also cited the case of a senior veteran politician who said that the provisional chapter of the current draft is the longest he has ever seen. He admitted he was stunned by the remark and immediately checked the previous charters to find out the truth.

He said that the provisional chapter of the 2007 charter contains 17 sections which is as many as that of the current draft while the provisional chapter of the 1997 charter has 23 sections.

Mr Meechai assured that the CDC is open to divergent opinions and is ready to amend sections which are deemed not good enough. The CDC, he added, is also ready to make clarifications of the misunderstandings about several sections.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/150044


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-09

No problem in equating ' falsehood ' with criticism when it suits just look at how the LM law is bent to order and we know how this govt reacts to criticism.

The govt is its own worst enemy as there's so much suspicion of everything thing they do because of how they operate that if they try to introduce something that's completely above board it generates questions and negativity.

When will the public see this draft charter? May be the best way to undermine anyone spreading unfounded rumors or inaccurate facts.

One has followed the charter-drafting career of this Meechai for decades. To say he is the Establishment's creature would be to understate matters.

There are lies on Facebook? I never knew.

I think this "happiness provider" forgot to warn those "politicians" who spread falsehood about democracy.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

So just trudge down the well worn path of least resistance and end up coming full circle in a few years then.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

so an open debate about the charter as baboon suggests is not the answer...

Got it.

Meaning opinion and criticism? There will be a healthy and thriving Democracy with no criticism, opinion or decent. This is an order!!

There are lies on Facebook? I never knew.

Punishment should be swift and devestating for transgressors. Can we get this in the constitution draft?

Maybe it should be noted that 4 days ago in the BP, Abhisit voiced critics that seem to be congruent with the UDD/PT critics:the non-elected senators, the non-MP prime minister, the single ballot system and the retention of special powers by the junta's leader after the new constitution takes effect.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

so an open debate about the charter as baboon suggests is not the answer...

Got it.

No need for an open debate. The military knows what's best for Thailand because of the impeccable integrity of the leading generals...

I think this "happiness provider" forgot to warn those "politicians" who spread falsehood about democracy.

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And of course deliberate lies would be open to government interpretation only. Sounds like article 44 is being cloaked into another article of the constitution.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

But public debate lets the electorate decide which side has the best argument.... oops, sorry, there is no electorate if you aren't allowed to vote. Silly me.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

But public debate lets the electorate decide which side has the best argument.... oops, sorry, there is no electorate if you aren't allowed to vote. Silly me.

"....s who lied or deliberately distorted the draft to cause public confusion."

Is that what you call public debate? Or is that the function of the propagandists?

I'm afraid Meechai has descended into temporal illogic.

It would make no sense to put a clause in the draft Charter prohibiting lying about the draft Charter, as this document has no force of law until after approval at referendum, and Royal endorsement. Thus the clause would have no bearing on the debate prior to a referendum.

But carry on, thin skinned man.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

Er, is that why politicians like Abhjsit and Korn consider the Charter to be a crock of s***.Are they members of UDD?

Meechai need not worry too much as in a recent survey, he is ranked second highest after the Junta PM as people most trusted to believe as far as the charter is concerned. Politicians are ranked lowest. He should be able to sleep well.

Leading up to banning any criticism of the charter? Is campaigning against the charter in the referendum to be banned on pain of jail? Just like the last referendum.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

Actually, even the democrats are warning for this constitution. Perhaps because half truths and lies are not the problem here, and this constitution does indeed not return Thailand to democracy.

I understand the need to curb corruption, but this charter is not about curbing corruption, it is about ensuring relatively few people have the power to run Thailand.

This constitution has not been drafted for the public, and offers precious little benefits to the same public. And that is the truth, how often that other well funded propaganda machine is trying to convince otherwise, Meechai included.

He should stop threatening people that utter relevant and truthful criticism to this charter, as it isn't worth the paper it is written on.

Or in other words, he and his CDC did a piss poor job, at least if democracy was the actual goal. Now I don't think it was, and leave it at that.

Edited February 9, 201610 yr by sjaak327

he found the comment totally unacceptable because the information is false.

What can anybody expect when the FINAL draft has not been released to the public?

The final draft hasn't been sent to the NRSA for approval because it is still UNDER DEVELOPMENTpending possible changes, reorganizaion and additions resulting from CDC public meetings and from the Four Rivers (NCPO, Prayut government, NLA, NRSA). Even Prayut has yet to review the draft sent to him.

he might introduce a new provision in the charter draft to deal with politicians who lied or deliberately distorted the draft to cause public confusion.

Meaningless if the draft fails acceptance in the referendum and a good way to encourage the public to vote against it. On a broader scale, such a threat of punishment with regard to any event or activity leading up to the referendum has no place in a constitution! If Meechai ever had a foothold on reality, he has fallen into the abyss of irrelevant behavior.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

Er, is that why politicians like Abhjsit and Korn consider the Charter to be a crock of s***.Are they members of UDD?

No, they are engaging in public debate. The threat was aimed at those "....who lied or deliberately distorted the draft to cause public confusion."

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

Er, is that why politicians like Abhjsit and Korn consider the Charter to be a crock of s***.Are they members of UDD?

No, they are engaging in public debate. The threat was aimed at those "....who lied or deliberately distorted the draft to cause public confusion."

How can they theaten themselves? As far as most people understand, it is the promoters of the Junta's charter that are dealing in lies and obfuscation - promising democracy when the intention is to frustrate it.

In any event I can assure you that the scepticism - entirely justified - shown by the Democrat Party leadership ( non crazy part) for this disgraceful document - is hardly regarded by the Junta as a useful contribution to public debate - to borrow your odd expression.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

so an open debate about the charter as baboon suggests is not the answer...

Got it.

Actually explaining the falsehoods may just be too much work. Look at all the nonsense people post here.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

so an open debate about the charter as baboon suggests is not the answer...

Got it.

Actually explaining the falsehoods may just be too much work. Look at all the nonsense people post here.

Not to mention the misinformation, smears and obfuscation posted by others.

So wanting to know more I typed CDC into Google.

Yep I guess democracy is a disease that has to be controlled & prevented. Wrong country & wrong institution notwithstanding it is still an incredibly apt acronym.

Why not put as much effort into explaining to the public what the falsehoods are and why they are false as you do into issuing threats?

Have open, honest and frank debates on T.V. and radio with opponents of the charter and you should be able to win comfortably if your cause is just and true, thus getting the public on side.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

so an open debate about the charter as baboon suggests is not the answer...

Got it.

Actually explaining the falsehoods may just be too much work. Look at all the nonsense people post here.

Translation: Even the most slavish devotees of the Junta are lost for words.

Perhaps because there is a well-funded propaganda machine (UDD to some) waiting to oppose any measures to limit politician's power and their access to corruption. You could spend half your life trying to prove their lies and half-truths as false, or actually inform the public of the benefits f the new charter.

so an open debate about the charter as baboon suggests is not the answer...

Got it.

Actually explaining the falsehoods may just be too much work. Look at all the nonsense people post here.

Not to mention the misinformation, smears and obfuscation posted by others.

Reminds me of the recent debacle Stephen Fry had with his twitter account.