EC: Draft constitution referendum to be published soon



BANGKOK, 29 April 2016 (NNT) – The Election Commission (EC) is planning to circulate copies of the draft constitution to the public next month to prepare voters for the referendum.

EC Deputy Secretary-General Boonyakiat Rakchatcharoen said the first 100,000 copies of the abridged draft constitution should be available on May 23. The general public can obtain the booklets at government offices.

The EC will also enable people living outside their registered home provinces to vote on the charter at any local administrative offices via postal service or online. Around 54.6 million ballots will be published.

Meanwhile, Election Commissioner Somchai Sisuttiyakorn spoke of the possibility of international agencies observing the referendum, saying the EC did not consider this to be political intervention.

Mr. Somchai believed that observing the political activities of other countries could promote mutual learning and understanding of each's political landscape.

He also disclosed that the EC had been invited by international observers to give a lecture on referendums in Thailand. Commissioners will soon discuss this issue.


-- NNT 2016-04-29

Wonder which company got the printing contract.

It would seem the "no" people have been active without even knowing the content of the draft

Thainess ?

It would seem the "no" people have been active without even knowing the content of the draft

Thainess ?

The Thai language version has been available in full online.

On the other hand, I have been unable to find an English language translation.

It would seem the "no" people have been active without even knowing the content of the draft

Thainess ?

The Thai language version has been available in full online.

On the other hand, I have been unable to find an English language translation.

Thanks, my Thai is not that good.

Does anything related to this pointless rigged referendum even matter anymore?

Thailand is headed towards a catastrophe of Thaitanic proportions if the junta do not loosen their grip SOON.

Edited April 29, 201610 yr by WhizBang

There is a prolific posters who in the past used to harp on about the 15 "principles" of democracy, and how the PTP/UDD only used one, I'm curious as to how many the current Junta allow to be practised? And what will they do next year, when politicians will need to start canvassing for votes ?

Edited April 29, 201610 yr by Holy Cinema

Somchai Sisuttiyakorn spoke of the possibility of international agencies observing the referendum, saying the EC did not consider this to be political intervention

Apparently Somchai again didn't get Prayut's memo. Gen Prayut said he would not permit any foreign observers in the referendum, reasoning that it was still untimely for that:

“It is inappropriate yet and I won’t allow such observation. Is it appropriate or does any country ever has permitted to observe its own referendum."

Perhaps Somchai should speak to Prayut and help him understand the normalcy of foreign observers in referendums.

Somchai may find retirement sooner than he thought.