Court’s ruling will not affect referendum, says NLA

Thammarat Thadaphrom

BANGKOK, 25 June 2016 (NNT) – The President of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) has confirmed that the Constitutional Court’s decision will not have any influence on the August 7 referendum.

Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, NLA President, said he isn't worried about the Constitutional Court’s ruling on Section 61 Clause 2 of the Public Referendum Act, B.E. 2559. He says the nationwide referendum will be staged as scheduled regardless of the verdict.

The Constitutional Court agreed to consider whether or not Section 61 Clause 2 of the referendum act is in violation of the interim charter having been enacted since 2014.

In the meantime, Election Commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn said referendum ballots have already been printed, adding that complex techniques have been applied to the printing in order to prevent counterfeiting.

According to him the printing of the ballots was designed to be clearly distinct with a tiny code, which needs a 30-times magnifier to read, engraved on each ballot.

-- NNT 2016-06-25

"He says the nationwide referendum will be staged as scheduled regardless of the verdict."

"Staged". Perfect term for everything the government does to make it appear that Thailand is a true democracy.

Getting his retaliation in first.

Perhaps one of the 'constitution' 'court' 'judges' had a quiet word about which way the wind is likely to blow...

W

Edited June 25, 201610 yr by Winniedapu

What a pathetic country this is.

What a pathetic country this is.

Well, I agree, sort of,. The country is fine, it's the majority of thee population that are 'challenged'. A fine distinction perhaps but it's the distinction I have to make almost every day in order to remain sane.

This is a third-world country, full of 3rd-world people with 3rd-world educations. and 3rd-world principles. One has to reduce expectations to what is reasonable.

Though I do sympathise.

W

ps to those who may think I'm Thai-bashing (as has been said by a couple of out brethren), the above is all certifiable fact. Sorry if you don't like me observing the difference between fact and fantasy.

Well - I lied. Actually I'm not sorry...

Edited June 25, 201610 yr by Winniedapu

Above the law, easy isn't it!

"According to him the printing of the ballots was designed to be clearly distinct with a tiny code, which needs a 30-times magnifier to read, engraved on each ballot."

I wonder if the magnifiers can also detect bombs?

"According to him the printing of the ballots was designed to be clearly distinct with a tiny code, which needs a 30-times magnifier to read, engraved on each ballot."

I wonder if the magnifiers can also detect bombs?

No. They have just numbered them. A new Thai invention!

Pornpetch isn't worried about the Constitutional Court’s ruling on Section 61 Clause 2 of the Public Referendum Act, B.E. 2559 because Prayut already stated last month that the government and the NCPO have no intention of rescinding the referendum. The court’s decision will not postpone the referendum.

In any case, actions of the NCPO under Article 44 are defined as constitutional. The not so subtle message to the Constitutional Court judges is get in line with the NCPO.

What a pathetic country this is.

Well, I agree, sort of,. The country is fine, it's the majority of thee population that are 'challenged'. A fine distinction perhaps but it's the distinction I have to make almost every day in order to remain sane.

This is a third-world country, full of 3rd-world people with 3rd-world educations. and 3rd-world principles. One has to reduce expectations to what is reasonable.

Though I do sympathise.

W

ps to those who may think I'm Thai-bashing (as has been said by a couple of out brethren), the above is all certifiable fact. Sorry if you don't like me observing the difference between fact and fantasy.

Well - I lied. Actually I'm not sorry...

Thailand is far removed from the third world....certainly a developing nation, but to compare it alongside genuine third world nations that have limited utilities, medical, transport and etc., just isn't right.

What a pathetic country this is.

Well, I agree, sort of,. The country is fine, it's the majority of thee population that are 'challenged'. A fine distinction perhaps but it's the distinction I have to make almost every day in order to remain sane.

This is a third-world country, full of 3rd-world people with 3rd-world educations. and 3rd-world principles. One has to reduce expectations to what is reasonable.

Though I do sympathise.

W

ps to those who may think I'm Thai-bashing (as has been said by a couple of out brethren), the above is all certifiable fact. Sorry if you don't like me observing the difference between fact and fantasy.

Well - I lied. Actually I'm not sorry...

Thailand is far removed from the third world....certainly a developing nation, but to compare it alongside genuine third world nations that have limited utilities, medical, transport and etc., just isn't right.

I think you'll find that the '3rd world' and the 'developing world' are pretty much interchangeable these days. As you know, originally, '3rd-world' meant non-aligned. Nowadays if equates to 'under-developed' though PC is always important to the hoi-polloi, so they say 'still developing' which is as much a meaningless euphemism as 'water not yet drained'. The distinction is no longer really observed outside of Departments of Foreign Affairs. and I expect we're all familiar with the Sir Humphrey's of the world and their bogus humbug.

There isn't really any real need to put a cosmetic layer on it. Lipstick on a pig never really works. Similarly, Thailand most certainly is 3rd-world, in my opinion. Inasmuch as it only partially qualifies as a failed state. At the moment, though it's being worked on.

W

Edited June 25, 201610 yr by Winniedapu

Just do that 44!

On 10 June, the EC announced that a two stage bidding process would start on 15 June to award a contract for printing referendum ballots.

Now on 25 June the EC announces that the ballots are printed.

That was fast.

Actually, too fast. I smell another questionable procurement.