CDC's Meechai opposes idea of foreign groups observing public referendum

[webfact]

CDC's Meechai opposes idea of foreign groups observing public referendum

BANGKOK, 5 May 2016 (NNT) – The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission is opposing the idea that foreign groups should be allowed to observe the public referendum process.

CDC Chairman Meechai Richupan said that he personally disagrees with the proposal that calls for international organizations to observe the referendum process because this should be an internal affair.

Mr. Meechai also pointed out that, as Thailand has never been invited to observe any election elsewhere, there is no need for outsiders to do so here. However he noted that their personal trips to do so are still acceptable.

Concerning the CDC’s upcoming trips to meet with the people to explain the contents of the draft charter, Mr. Meechai said that details of the training of volunteers in each province are being planned.

He added that each team of trainers will be comprised of a deputy governor at least, a provincial public health office chief and representatives of the military and community organizations.


-- NNT 2016-05-05

[Khun Han]

Why do people like him even bother to open their mouths to spout such nonsense?

[Nicolas32]

Why do people like him even bother to open their mouths to spout such nonsense?

What do you expect from a government news source they are all in denial .. things are starting to crumble..

[smutcakes]

Perhaps someone can point out that the EC went on a boondoggle to watch the Scottish referendum.

Perhaps it is time to ask the EC what they learnt and took in on that tax payer funded jaunt.

[NongKhaiKid]

Perhaps someone can point out that the EC went on a boondoggle to watch the Scottish referendum.

Perhaps it is time to ask the EC what they learnt and took in on that tax payer funded jaunt.

Pity having to watch the referendum interfered with the distillery visits.

Meechai said it's an internal issue, maybe he should put cotton wool in his cheeks and say ' it's a family affair '.

[tbthailand]

Of course he opposes the idea.

He knows what will happen during the referendum...

[robblok]

I think its stupid not to allow foreigners to observe, but he and almost very other Thai politician in the past have always opposed it. Its not a new thing.

[Bluespunk]

Perhaps someone can point out that the EC went on a boondoggle to watch the Scottish referendum.

Perhaps it is time to ask the EC what they learnt and took in on that tax payer funded jaunt.

They learnt not to allow it to happen here?

[Paul Henry]

Not wanting impartial independent observers means only one thing there is something to hide.If everything is legal, impartial and above board one would welcome observers who would confirm how well the referendum was conducted and congratulate those involved.If you close your eyes it does not mean its dark outside!

[phantomfiddler]

They do not want us to observe because we could never possibly understand the complexity of the Thai mind .... er ...... hum....... 555555555555555555 gasp

[Dogmatix]

What a ridiculous comment and based on an incorrect premise anyway, since the EC went to Scotland to observe their referendum. Prayut himself said foreign observers can come if they want.

Given his willingness to make public statements without being aware of the facts and his dubious track record, I wonder if his work will contain errors and ambiguities that will keep people arguing for years to come. He doesn't seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed.

[Srikcir]

Thailand was invited as observer for Myanmar’s 2012 parliamentary by-election.

The 2011 elections in Thailand were monitored by 91 international observers.

Apparently, the Prayut regime's attitude towards transparency differs from elected Thai governments over elections.

[phoenixdoglover]

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs)

[gandalf12]

They do not want us to observe because we could never possibly understand the complexity of the Thai mind .... er ...... hum....... 555555555555555555 gasp

If you were Thai there could be a Nobel prize in a statement like that

[trainman34014]

Perhaps someone can point out that the EC went on a boondoggle to watch the Scottish referendum.

Perhaps it is time to ask the EC what they learnt and took in on that tax payer funded jaunt.

What they learned was how beautiful Scottish scenery is and how many 'proper' whisky's there are that taste soooooo much better than the crap they have here. 'Watching' the referendum would have been low on the list of priorities.

[GAZZPA]

Not wanting impartial independent observers means only one thing there is something to hide.If everything is legal, impartial and above board one would welcome observers who would confirm how well the referendum was conducted and congratulate those involved.If you close your eyes it does not mean its dark outside!

Completely correct. What do they have to hide?

A referendum is to be voted upon so why and how can it remain a secret? It is not right for the current political leaders to oppose such things considering the enormous amount of foreign money and businesses in this country and not to mention the 30 million plus tourists every year.

It is just absurd.

But, at least there is something happening. I hope that the proposed changes really are for the good of the country and the Thai people and not just some assembled nonsense designed to continue lining the pockets of the minority.

Hide it or don't hide it, doesn't really matter, we will all soon see the real intentions and results.

[Siamthomas]

This Meechai is similar to a remora fish.

He hides low waits to eat. Meechai knows very well that Thailands current government is by force and is border lining on human rights. He should also be aware that there has been many army coups. Meechai should also be aware that know one needs to invite Thailand to oversee civilized nations who will never allow power plays via army. Meechai is wrong man for the job

[Holy Cinema]

but it's fine to send your minions all over the globe on jollies to see how it's done elsewhere?

[Siamthomas]

Furthermore there is growing concern in regards to authenticity of this charter and its make up. Other countries are manning up in talks as to human rights violations and have great concerns. Meechai playing dumb

[elgordo38]

Why spend taxpayers money to come and observe. Read all the propaganda. They do not want any naysayers but are training lots of people to go into the hinterland to "explain" the constitution to the masses. If the USA's best offering is Trump and Clinton do not expect to much here.

[Lupatria]

"Thailand has never been invited to observe any election elsewhere"

Never thought about there may be a reason for it? Could be a similar reason as why Thailand was never invited to give advice how to tackle corruption...

However, you have been invited by Germany to learn how to hold elections properly.

[Baerboxer]

Perhaps someone can point out that the EC went on a boondoggle to watch the Scottish referendum.

Perhaps it is time to ask the EC what they learnt and took in on that tax payer funded jaunt.

After the Sottish referendum videos appeared on YouTube claiming to show "Yes" votes being counted as "No" votes and deliberately put in the wrong piles. Very crudely made with laughable signs. Still, people posted them on their Fb pages, including several of my friends. And their were calls for a second replacement referendum. Madness.

Whilst vote buying on an organized, collective basis, and influence based on old feudal loyalties, peer pressure and intimidation on how to vote is exerted, by all politicians here, I haven't seen copious reports or allegations of miscounting or post vote procedural irregularities that mark elections in many other countries.

What's more pertinent is that people aren't being provided with detailed pros and cons, and being allowed to watch open debates on those pros and cons. Again, like the Brexit Referendum, a very large amount of people are relying on the tabloids (who present the view of their owners), and rhetoric from opinionated politicians who present a narrow view that coincides with their own agendas.

People are being asked, more and more these days in more and more countries, to vote based on hype and rhetoric rather than reasoned argument. In the "Information Age" people aren't being given all the information. They are being fed more propaganda though.

[Baerboxer]

"Thailand has never been invited to observe any election elsewhere"

Never thought about there may be a reason for it? Could be a similar reason as why Thailand was never invited to give advice how to tackle corruption...

However, you have been invited by Germany to learn how to hold elections properly.

Germany - oh yes, the country where politicians have to resign due to fake plagiarized PhD's. They know a thing or two about election rigging for sure.

[sanukjim]

Of course not ,as they have their minds made up on the wording and they don't want to be distracted with intelligent ideas.

[bentfarang]

Perhaps someone can point out that the EC went on a boondoggle to watch the Scottish referendum.

Perhaps it is time to ask the EC what they learnt and took in on that tax payer funded jaunt.

And I got lambasted on another thread for suggesting that Thais are xenophobic, this is clear xenophobia as 'outsiders' are not welcome. Typical.

[candide]

Perhaps someone can point out that the EC went on a boondoggle to watch the Scottish referendum.

Perhaps it is time to ask the EC what they learnt and took in on that tax payer funded jaunt.

And I got lambasted on another thread for suggesting that Thais are xenophobic, this is clear xenophobia as 'outsiders' are not welcome. Typical.

They may rely on xenophobia in an attempt to get some popular support for their decision. The truth is more simple: they obviously don't want any trusted, neutral, and unbiased observer checking the fairness of this referendum.