Thai lawmaker says referendum act doesn’t breach citizens’ rights

[webfact]

Lawmaker says referendum act doesn’t breach citizens’ rights



BANGKOK, 13 June 2016 (NNT) - A member of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) believes Section 61 Clause 2 of the Public Referendum Act does not violate the rights of Thai citizens.

NLA member and chairperson of the NLA’s committee for the deliberation of the referendum act Gen Somjet Boonthanom said he is confident that Section 61 Clause 2 of the Public Referendum Act, B.E. 2559 does not breach citizens’ rights protected by the 2014 interim constitution.

He said the NLA will not reject or overrule the Constitutional Court’s interpretation of the referendum act.

Earlier the Office of the Ombudsman of Thailand asked the Constitutional Court to interpret Section 61 Clause 2 of the referendum act.

He also gave a strong assurance that the nationwide public referendum will take place as scheduled regardless of the court’s verdict.


-- NNT 2016-06-13

[BigBadGeordie]

I have read the OP 3 times and still all I understand is blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, we are right and we will do what ever we want.

[trogers]

I have read the OP 3 times and still all I understand is blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, we are right and we will do what ever we want.

Rights come with responsibility, for without the latter, mayhem ensures.

[baboon]

What rights?

[NongKhaiKid]

If the vote doesn't go the way this govt wants I think we will then see real breaches of citizens' rights.

[Eligius]

If the vote doesn't go the way this govt wants I think we will then see real breaches of citizens' rights.

Unfortunately very true. But I am sure that the vote will go just the way it is intended and willed and directed and manipulated to go. How could it be otherwise in present-day Thailand?!

[mtls2005]

Gen Somjet Boonthanom said he is confident that Section 61 Clause 2 of the Public Referendum Act, B.E. 2559 does not breach citizens’ rights protected by the 2014 interim constitution.

Apparently the good general is a legal and constitutional expert, now.

[soalbundy]

If the vote doesn't go the way this govt wants I think we will then see real breaches of citizens' rights.

Unfortunately very true. But I am sure that the vote will go just the way it is intended and willed and directed and manipulated to go. How could it be otherwise in present-day Thailand?!

who is counting the votes?

[chainarong]

If the constitution court rules in favour of the ombudsman no one can be charged under the existing constitution law 61/ 2 and so it will need to be amended and resubmitted or omitted bring on another referendum, for the record it is now before the court and any comments from any official could be construed as contempt of court, both 61/2 & 4 are really an attempt to stifle freedom of speech and rights of Thailand's nationals and it is remiss of the Constitutional Court to not challenge this and other laws ( it's in the fine print ) They continued to do so when the PTP was in power, why not now........................................ .

[maoro2013]

What does Section 61 Clause 2 say??

[mtls2005]

What does Section 61 Clause 2 say??

(2) the offer or promise. Or arrange to provide property or other benefits.

The calculation may include any payment. In order to induce voters to vote or not to vote.

Basically outlaws vote buying.

In general, the Ombudsman's position is that the Referendum Act is so broad as to violate/restrict some of the terms of the Interim Charter (2014), with respect to free speech/expression, and as such it is not entirely "legal".

Note that the Military Junta created to the Interim Charter, albeit in a haste, probably with some copy/paste/reuse of the vast array of previous charters to plumb.

[NongKhaiKid]

If the vote doesn't go the way this govt wants I think we will then see real breaches of citizens' rights.

Unfortunately very true. But I am sure that the vote will go just the way it is intended and willed and directed and manipulated to go. How could it be otherwise in present-day Thailand?!

who is counting the votes?

People who can be trusted absolutely as they take an oath to do their job honestly etc and we know how seriously Thais take such things.

So much so apparently that politicians won't take oaths etc in front of a certain Buddha shrine because it would be a very serious matter to break the oath so they swear elsewhere so not to put themselves at risk.

[Winniedapu]

"He said the NLA will not reject or overrule the Constitutional Court’s interpretation of the referendum act.

The fix is already in, the verdict already decided.

Earlier the Office of the Ombudsman of Thailand asked the Constitutional Court to interpret Section 61 Clause 2 of the referendum act.

How likely is it that the Ombudsman's office would do this without Prayuth's nod?

He also gave a strong assurance that the nationwide public referendum will take place as scheduled regardless of the court’s verdict."

Look out for crossed fingers behind his back. Either that or Prayuth will use Article 44 to impose the constitution or annul the referendum result. All the usual thieves and rascals are already in place, just as they were before the coup.

Getting ready for the second hijacking. The one which will likely provoke Thais out of their slumber. And if a certain event occurs...

Winnie

[Srikcir]

Section 61 Clause 2 of the Public Referendum Act does not violate the rights of Thai citizens.

The reason even to hold a referendum is the result of violation of the constitutional rights and liberties of Thai citizens - the abolishment of the publically approved 2007 constitution and the endorsement of two subsequent interim charters written solely by the Junta and its surrogates without approval of Thai citizens. Those actions didn't bother the Constitutional Court.

[elgordo38]

What rights?

He gave strong assurances what more do you want?

[CantSpell]

I have read the OP 3 times and still all I understand is blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, we are right and we will do what ever we want.

Rights come with responsibility, for without the latter, mayhem ensures.

Or with the big guns; works like this:

Party A points all the big guns at party B.

Party B immediately states: Ok, you are right!!

[hawker9000]

"Lawmaker says referendum act doesn’t breach citizens’ rights"

True statement. They have no rights, except the right to agree...

[Winniedapu]

Lawmaker says referendum act doesn’t breach citizens’ rights

Of course he says it doesn't breach citizen's rights.

But then, if it did, would he say so?

Of course he wouldn't. And nobody would urge him to get up and make a fool of himself like he just did.

Just someone's glove puppet... one of many.

*yawn*

Winnie