DPM Prawit warns against influencing the public on the charter referendum

[webfact]

DPM warns against influencing the public on the charter referendum



BANGKOK, 25 April 2016 (NNT) – The Deputy Prime Minister has clarified that advertisements encouraging the public to vote either for or against the draft constitution are illegal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Gen Prawit Wongsuwan has reiterated that political movements both for and against the draft charter, which is to be put up for public referendum later this year, are illegal under the new referendum act. He has encouraged relevant agencies to stay abreast of such activities and asked that the media be wary of presenting news on the matter.

He asserted that campaigning for the referendum is the duty of the Constitution Drafting Committee and Election Commission and that individual citizens must use their own discretion to decided how to vote.

Gen Prawit said he disagrees with having an international organization monitoring the referendum as it is not a general election.


-- NNT 2016-04-25

[GeorgesAbitbol]

So when Suthep is going to an adjustment session?

[Rayk]

"The Deputy Prime Minister has clarified that advertisements encouraging the public to vote either for or against the draft constitution are illegal."

There thinking is simple.

If you vote "yes" we win.

If you vote "no" we still win.

Edited April 25, 2016 by Rayk

[iReason]

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Gen Prawit Wongsuwan is illegal.

[Snig27]

No oversight? What could the good general possibly be planning to hide?

[Moonmoon]

Dont need to influence anyone at all. The referendum itself influences if the public is for or against it.

[Laughing Gravy]

A democratic referendum with people making a choice. mmm. so no influencing anyone then? Isn't allowing criticism doing just that. I forgot Thainess.

[phoenixdoglover]

So I guess the leaders of PTP, PDRC Foundation, the Democrat (PP) Party, UDD, the student activists, the editors of The Nation and BP, and several members of the CDC and NRSA, should all be arrested at this point.

Well done, Junta. You have effectively transited and exited the wormhole into an alternate universe.

That's right, you have entered..........

Edited April 25, 2016 by phoenixdoglover

[webfact]

Gen Prawit stresses public comments on draft charter are not permissable



BANGKOK: -- Public announcements in support of or against the draft constitution through the media is not permissible now that the referendum law has come into force, said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan on Monday.

The key member of the National Council for Peace and Order was responding to a reporter’s question about the comments made on Sunday about the draft by Mr Suthep Thuagsuban, chairman of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee Foundation, and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship chairman Jatuporn Promphan.

General Prawit said he had instructed his legal advisory team to determine whether the statements by Mr Suthep and Mr Jatuporn amounted to a violation of the referendum law.

He defended that Section 61 of the referendum law which imposes tough penalties against people expressing views on the draft charter in a way which is deemed causing public confusion or intensifying political conflicts was intended to prevent public confusion and political conflicts in the leadup to the referendum.

General Prawit also brushed aside a suggestion by the UDD leader that the United Nations, European Union or any international organisation should send teams to observe the referendum on August 7.

As for the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Committee, he said that the duty of the two agencies now is to educate the people about the content of the draft.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/160931


-- Thai PBS 2016-04-25

[macksview]

puck puck puck

i don't believe it

we are in safe hands

restore happiness

[yellowboat]

That man just does not inspire trust. The harsh sentencing is just more junta intimidation. Is Abhisit allowed to criticize the

charter ?

[sharecropper]

What a bunch of ignorant morons. The world is laughing at them but they really don't care.

[Hawk]

"As for the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Committee, he said that the duty of the two agencies now is to educate the people about the content of the draft."

Educate = influence. But influencing is supposed to be illegal?

[craigt3365]

What a bunch of ignorant morons. The world is laughing at them but they really don't care.

Could it be they are trying to head off more violent street protests with this? UDD seems to be all up in arms about it. If that's all this is about, then perhaps it is OK??????

Just thinking out loud....

[Jimbo2014]

Don't debate. Don't analyse. Don't have public discourse. Just do it!! Yea baby I love the smell of total power in the morning. Smells like.... victory! ?

[Baerboxer]

"As for the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Committee, he said that the duty of the two agencies now is to educate the people about the content of the draft."

Educate = influence. But influencing is supposed to be illegal?

There's none as blind as them as don't want to see; nor deaf as those who won't listen.

Educate - give them all the facts, but allow them to make their own mind up. (That would be a new experience for many up country).

Influence - try to persuade them to vote in the way you would like them to.

[Eric Loh]

If the junta has nothing to hide, why disallow international observers. The UN and EU have been engaging as observers for many referendums in various countries.

[Baerboxer]

What a bunch of ignorant morons. The world is laughing at them but they really don't care.

Could it be they are trying to head off more violent street protests with this? UDD seems to be all up in arms about it. If that's all this is about, then perhaps it is OK??????

Just thinking out loud....

Good point Craig.

The UDD, the politicians they support and their leader all know that if the charter is accepted and becomes law it will be much harder for them to continue where they left off. If they were ever re-elected they couldn't simply push the Amnesty Bill through whilst awarding themselves the 2.2 trillion loan to do as they please with without any accountability. These and potential other even bigger rewards would become further out of reach.

So, they've got to do something. And from previous past history, they will follow their same modus operandi.

[Moonmoon]

All the above comments r not permissible cos Gen Prawit says its not, all of u n me r looking at jail time. Oh no!

[emilymat]

Phone call from UK last night.

Daughter........."Dad did you see Obama on the TV urging us to stay in Europe"

Me................."Now look love, I've gone native and I'm not going to be influenced by anyone regarding the referendum. I have to work it all out myself with no outside influences"

Daughter......."You can't mean that dad, it's such a complex issue"

Me................"Sorry, but when in Rome...."

[baboon]

If the junta has nothing to hide, why disallow international observers. The UN and EU have been engaging as observers for many referendums in various countries.

If the UK has nothing to hide, should Cameron invite UN, US and EU observers for the Brexit vote?

Or should the US invite EU and UN observers, perhaps even Chinese or Russian, for the Presidential vote?

Or perhaps Putin should invite some for the next Russian Presidential election?

The thing that pisses the UDD and their PTP mates off is that they can't be out intimidating, threatening, lying or bribing people to vote they way they want this time. And of course they judge others by their own cheating standards.

I can only speak for the UK here, but it wouldn't bother me in the slightest if we had international observers for the Brexit vote. Edited April 25, 2016 by baboon

[Holy Cinema]

If the junta has nothing to hide, why disallow international observers. The UN and EU have been engaging as observers for many referendums in various countries.

If the UK has nothing to hide, should Cameron invite UN, US and EU observers for the Brexit vote?

Or should the US invite EU and UN observers, perhaps even Chinese or Russian, for the Presidential vote?

Or perhaps Putin should invite some for the next Russian Presidential election?

The thing that pisses the UDD and their PTP mates off is that they can't be out intimidating, threatening, lying or bribing people to vote they way they want this time. And of course they judge others by their own cheating standards.

K-Tel called, they want their broken record back.

[chainarong]

Perhaps if the DPM would just shut down for a day or two, people will make their own judgements, so far at every press stop and telling everyone who will listen the only one pushing the charter is the DPM................................................ .

[chainarong]

If the junta has nothing to hide, why disallow international observers. The UN and EU have been engaging as observers for many referendums in various countries.

The Prayut - O transparency will probably kick in and everything will be okay trust me.

[apetley]

"As for the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Committee, he said that the duty of the two agencies now is to educate the people about the content of the draft."

Educate = influence. But influencing is supposed to be illegal?

There's none as blind as them as don't want to see; nor deaf as those who won't listen.

Educate - give them all the facts, but allow them to make their own mind up. (That would be a new experience for many up country).

Influence - try to persuade them to vote in the way you would like them to.

I'm sure the Junta will be pointing out all the failings of an appointed Senate, the possibility of an unelected Prime Minister, the NCPO having effective control of the next Govt, lessening of community and individual rights etc

[ChrisY1]

So, the infancy stage of militarasation of the Thai people is now in effect?????

[Holy Cinema]

"As for the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Committee, he said that the duty of the two agencies now is to educate the people about the content of the draft."

Educate = influence. But influencing is supposed to be illegal?

There's none as blind as them as don't want to see; nor deaf as those who won't listen.

Educate - give them all the facts, but allow them to make their own mind up. (That would be a new experience for many up country).

Influence - try to persuade them to vote in the way you would like them to.

but the powers that be are not in any way, shape or form, trying to influence the outcome of the referendum?

You're right there's none so blind as those who don't want to see.

You're living proof

Do you also like to stamp your feet and throw your teddies out of the pram when you don't get things your way ?

Do you actually have any sort of respect for the people whose country you're a guest in, regardless of their level of education?

The people from up country send this to you.

http://cdn.meme.am/instances/500x/45992116.jpg

[SABloke]

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Gen Prawit Wongsuwan is illegal.

Enjoy AA...let us know how the food is

[Srikcir]

What a bunch of ignorant morons. The world is laughing at them but they really don't care.

Could it be they are trying to head off more violent street protests with this? UDD seems to be all up in arms about it. If that's all this is about, then perhaps it is OK??????

Just thinking out loud....

You seem to have tunnel vision with the PTP.

Let's not forget Abhisit and the Democrat party who seem also to be all up in arms against the draft charter as well.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva held a press conference to say the draft charter would bring about a retreat in democracy.

Most of the Democrat Party members felt that there are more demerits in the draft charter than its merits.

Abhisit said that the party did not oppose the draft in its entirety but would not accept it either because of several political factors.

Furthermore, the Democrat party has demanded the Election Commission to show its courage by taking a stand on whether all the restrictions imposed by the military junta in the run-up to the referendum are undemocratic or not.

Needless to say the PRDC is more than capable of violent street protests should the Democratic leadership unleash them.

[craigt3365]

What a bunch of ignorant morons. The world is laughing at them but they really don't care.

Could it be they are trying to head off more violent street protests with this? UDD seems to be all up in arms about it. If that's all this is about, then perhaps it is OK??????

Just thinking out loud....

You seem to have tunnel vision with the PTP.

Let's not forget Abhisit and the Democrat party who seem also to be all up in arms against the draft charter as well.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva held a press conference to say the draft charter would bring about a retreat in democracy.

Most of the Democrat Party members felt that there are more demerits in the draft charter than its merits.

Abhisit said that the party did not oppose the draft in its entirety but would not accept it either because of several political factors.

Furthermore, the Democrat party has demanded the Election Commission to show its courage by taking a stand on whether all the restrictions imposed by the military junta in the run-up to the referendum are undemocratic or not.

Needless to say the PRDC is more than capable of violent street protests should the Democratic leadership unleash them.

Agreed. But the most violent protests in Bangkok were setup by the red shirts. No arguing that. I don't like either side and try to be objective as I can. But reality is reality.