Thailand canvasses support for controversial charter ahead of August vote

[webfact]

Thailand canvasses support for controversial charter ahead of August vote
BY AUKKARAPON NIYOMYAT

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's military government on Wednesday kicked off a drive to convince citizens to vote in an August referendum for a draft constitution that the junta has said will pave the way for an election next year. Opponents say the constitution will instead enshrine a political role for the military, which seized power two years ago in a coup, besides heralding weak governments and worsening a decade of bitter political division.

On Wednesday, lawmakers and members of a constitution-drafting panel tasked with explaining the document to government officials received the first 100,000 copies of the draft, from a total of a million earmarked for the public.

The government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the junta that seized power in May 2014 after months of political unrest, says the charter will lay the foundations of a stable democracy, and is confident it will be approved.

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-thailand-politics-idUSKCN0YG1FM


-- Reuters 2016-05-26

[Hawk]

The military are doing a lot more than just getting people to vote, they are doing their best to get people to vote yes.

[Plutojames88]

It's audacious that an unelected government try selling democracy in a warped ineffective manifestation that in effect allows them a controlling hand .

But worse the election may not proceed afterwards it on the basis they claim some legitimacy from an approval of the Charter itself.

It's wrong on so many levels that free speech is not allowed .

Ten year sentences threatened to agitators and arrest of people with the slightest inclination to question a forced fed draconian document.

Which by definition it is.

It's platform is above reproach and can't be taken to task.

Protesters will go to jail.

And the one way sales pitch in itself an assault on Thai freedoms.

Seizing power and Friday night speeches might work for a while .

But this wagon has wobbly wheels and the road map is upside down.

And the international community watching.

The canvassing is really a jack booted railroading of a population that might still say no to spite the people with guns holding them hostage

[Jimbo2014]

Where I come from we call this 'Trying to polish a Turd'

[tuanku]

so young soldiers, presumably armed and in uniform, will be "explaining" to people how to vote. Could be a risky gambit, especially if they use conscripts.

Remember the phrase "watermelon soldiers"? green on the outside but red inside.

Better watch those soldiers carefully as they might not all be entirely convinced that this charter is a good alternative to a democratic one.