Charter vote risks being 'laughing stock' poll monitor says

[webfact]

Charter Vote Risks Being 'Laughing Stock' Poll Monitor Says
By Pravit Rojanaphruk
Senior Staff Writer


Opponents of the draft charter display stickers Sunday in a McDonald's near the Democracy Monument in Bangkok. Photo: Thai Lawyers for Human Rights

BANGKOK — There’s still time to ensure the public referendum on the junta-sponsored draft charter slated for July will be free and fair if the military regime opens the debate to both sides, said veteran elections observer Pongsak Chan-On.

Since it unveiled the proposed constitution Jan. 29, the junta has broadly promoted it while quashing criticism, a strategy that left unchanged would disqualify the upcoming vote as being considered “free and fair,” said Pongsak, who for 14 years has monitored elections not just in Thailand but 26 countries around Asia.

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/detail.php?newsid=1455516962

-- Khaosod English 2016-02-15

[peptidebomber]

Like the General cares what the poor little people think, they are there to serve him, shut up and be grateful that they have someone like him in charge.

[tbthailand]

“They think Thai people must be dumb. Such a process looks down on its own people. ... “What’s the point of having a referendum if people have no participation in the drafting process and there’s no freedom of expression. It would be like ugly coercion. Do they think the international community is dumb too?”

neatly sums up the position of these self-appointed dinosaurs.

[jaywalker]

“They think Thai people must be dumb. Such a process looks down on its own people. ... “What’s the point of having a referendum if people have no participation in the drafting process and there’s no freedom of expression. It would be like ugly coercion. Do they think the international community is dumb too?”

neatly sums up the position of these self-appointed dinosaurs.

Yep.

"The Election Commission is weighing a penalty for those using any media to “distort” the content of the charter draft. This comes as the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee has appeared twice daily on all free TV and radio stations to promote the draft with no airtime given to critics."

This will bite them, which is probably what they actually want, as it will give the little general a 'mandate' to prolong military rule.

[sgtsabai]

Pretty ladies, I wonder how their accommodations will be while enjoying their short vacations? They obviously haven't felt the "happy" yet. And, will they be like "Stepford Wifes" afterward?

[tbthailand]

“They think Thai people must be dumb. Such a process looks down on its own people. ... “What’s the point of having a referendum if people have no participation in the drafting process and there’s no freedom of expression. It would be like ugly coercion. Do they think the international community is dumb too?”

neatly sums up the position of these self-appointed dinosaurs.

Yep.

"The Election Commission is weighing a penalty for those using any media to “distort” the content of the charter draft. This comes as the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee has appeared twice daily on all free TV and radio stations to promote the draft with no airtime given to critics."

This will bite them, which is probably what they actually want, as it will give the little general a 'mandate' to prolong military rule.

it's a win-win for the general. Either he gets his "perpetual power" charter crammed down the throat of Thailand, or he stays literally in power ...

As the first quote says, "what's the point... ?", well the point of the referendum is a veneer of legitimacy which this turd will not have because it was written by the military and not the people.

The turd would never pass in an open and free referendum, so it will be "forced".

Even more than they forced the 2007 military charter.

[Lupatria]

It's not nice to call it a laughing stock. How about an "ancient Thai tradition" after so many coups?

[Nbarch]

Will the bumper stickers be available in the local 7-11?

[waitforusalso]

"...would disqualify the upcoming vote as being considered “free and fair,”

Mr. Pongsak, after witnessing the farce in 2007, do you think they give a rat's arse about "free & fair"?

[retarius]

Carry on like this and it will be illegal under Section 44 to campaign or vote against it. You think I'm joking.

[WhizBang]

This will bite them, which is probably what they actually want, as it will give the little general a 'mandate' to prolong military rule.

I strongly suspect that that is the real strategy here.

[tbthailand]

Will the bumper stickers be available in the local 7-11?

I want one of those t-shirts.

[Ulic]

"When I want your opinion, I will give it to you" the General.

[Hawk]

Charter Vote Risks Being 'Laughing Stock'

Yes among some Thais but many Thais are so fed up with the government b/s that they just don't care anymore, of course none of them will bother to vote. Most Thais realize that the government is a law unto itself these days so abstain from getting involved, a kind of passive but bored resistance.

[jerojero]

"When I want your opinion, I will give it to you" the General.

.. And you will like it!