New Democracy group to continue protest against draft charter

[webfact]

New Democracy group to continue protest against draft charter



BANGKOK: -- Student activists of the New Democracy Movement have vowed to carry on with their campaign against the draft constitution in open defiance against the NCPO order banning political gathering of more than five people in public.

Mr Pakorn Areekul, core member of the movement, said that the group would stage activities every week until the referendum on August 7 with a panel discussion on “If Vote No Wins, What Will New Democracy Movement Propose?” scheduled on July 17 and another panel discussion on July 24 on “Thailand’s Future After August 7”.

The panel discussion on July 24 will be moderated by Worajate Pakeerate, a Thammasat University’s law lecturer and a core member of the Nitirat group.

Pakorn said that the group planned a rally on July 31 to sound out the opinions of the participants whether they agree with the movement’s stance in opposing the draft charter or not.

He added that members of the group would meet with representatives of political parties to discuss the charter issue.

The core member of the movement dismissed allegations by government officials that the movement’s publication and distribution of copies of the draft charter were funded by some political elements.

He claimed that the movement funded the publication which costs only three baht each for 10,000 copies printed. The fund, he added, came from proceeds from a recent concert staged by the movement.

Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Meechai Ruchupan earlier complained that the movement’s copies were distorted to mislead the public.

Meanwhile, Colonel Piyapong Klinpant, deputy head of the public relations centre of the secretariat of the NCPO, said that the Election Commission and the CDC should trace the money trail of the New Democracy Movement to find out whom funded their publication of the draft charter copies.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/new-democracy-group-to-continue-protest-against-draft-charter/


-- Thai PBS 2016-07-11

[Reigntax]

This group should be applauded for having the balls to stand up against the military appointed government and it threats. Whether they will succeed or not, at least they tried which is alot more than the majority of the population who have allowed the military to once again ride rough shot over almost every law and all civil rights.

[canuckamuck]

The small lady in the box is the one really running the show. Perhaps a Thai leprechaun. They obviously have succumbed to her trickery.

[Thechook]

Go for it, the Junta said they won't interfere/meddle

[gabruce]

This group should be applauded for having the balls to stand up against the military appointed government and it threats. Whether they will succeed or not, at least they tried which is alot more than the majority of the population who have allowed the military to once again ride rough shot over almost every law and all civil rights.

probably the most critical issue is whether they distributed copies of the draft charter or modified versions and secondarily what the modifications were.

[Netzero]

Yes, one can only hope that large numbers of Thais vote NO and send this government the message it deserves - but it is an open question as to whether or not even a strong message from the Thai people would have any effect on the General/PM

[Eric Loh]

Yes, one can only hope that large numbers of Thais vote NO and send this government the message it deserves - but it is an open question as to whether or not even a strong message from the Thai people would have any effect on the General/PM

This is not a vote for the referendum and is turning up to be a vote of defiance and a strong message that the junta has overstay their welcome. The junta intimidation and strong arm tactics look like backfiring.

[Squeegee]

Yes, one can only hope that large numbers of Thais vote NO and send this government the message it deserves - but it is an open question as to whether or not even a strong message from the Thai people would have any effect on the General/PM

This is not a vote for the referendum and is turning up to be a vote of defiance and a strong message that the junta has overstay their welcome. The junta intimidation and strong arm tactics look like backfiring.

Sadly, I have little faith the Thais have the wherewithal to do anything other than what they're told and expected to do by whoever is holding their leash. Even if they had a collective brainfart and actually voted no with enough numbers to give a message, that message will be about as effective as late nights out under a curfew.

The junta's silly bits of paper are nothing but a dog and pony show, and one way or another the show will go on until such time as the poisonous old toads are all dead, in which case their spawn will take the reigns.

If the Thais want this to change they must pay in blood. Unlike previous coups, this one shows the parasites have learned from the past not to let go this time, otherwise the expectation to actually develop with votes and human rights gets stronger with each non-military-backed government. The parasites have realized they cannot let it happen again so now it is all or nothing... and that inevitably means spilt blood. There is no reasoning with the unreasonable.

[tuanku]

There may be a NO vote, or there may simply be a very low turnout as people recognise the only alternative to this charter is another similar charter. Not voting also means not having to make a decision. Many Thai people are scared of the military, and scared to stand up against a group that proclaims itself the defender of the Monarchy as they believe that to go against the Army is to go against the Palace. So while we may wish for a NO vote, it is not a foregone conclusion and may well depend on the level of turnout in the red heartlands of the North and North East (and in that case whether the votes are counted fairly)

[Enoon]

This group should be applauded for having the balls to stand up against the military appointed government and it threats. Whether they will succeed or not, at least they tried which is alot more than the majority of the population who have allowed the military to once again ride rough shot over almost every law and all civil rights.

The group should be applauded.

As to your contempt for the majority? (which is no doubt not limited to their political docility). When you have lived all your life under the threatening gaze of the smiling fearmongers of the East (fully knowledgeable of how they can, and do, treat "disharmonious" individuals) you might have the right to criticize those who, quite understandably, feel compelled to acquiesce.

Or are you a Bolivar, Garibaldi or Collins?

That is what is needed.

Edited July 11, 2016 by Enoon

[geistfunke]

To vote "yes or no" without full and open public discussion in TV and media with all groups of the society is stupid.
So I think most of the people will just stay home and boycott this game.

Edited July 11, 2016 by geistfunke

[Winniedapu]

There may be a NO vote, or there may simply be a very low turnout as people recognise the only alternative to this charter is another similar charter. Not voting also means not having to make a decision. Many Thai people are scared of the military, and scared to stand up against a group that proclaims itself the defender of the Monarchy as they believe that to go against the Army is to go against the Palace. So while we may wish for a NO vote, it is not a foregone conclusion and may well depend on the level of turnout in the red heartlands of the North and North East (and in that case whether the votes are counted fairly)

Fair comment.

The problem for the military, is that it needs a big passing margin - not only for Thailand, but also (and perhaps primarily) for the international community, which already overwhelmingly dislikes and distrusts Prayuth. An indecisive win, or worse still, a fail. would mean he has been flushed out and that his 'democratic' camouflage is no longer even partially effective. Like it or not, a military Constitution is in the tea-leaves, and this referendum will be the Thai people's verdict on the junta. I really don't see that this is anything but inevitable.

If that happens the oppression will increase as Prayuth and his buddies strive to maintain or increase their grip on power. and because they know there will no longer be a reason to maintain the HR facade for viewing from outside Thailand, since they will know that nobody will believe them anyway. Then the economy decline, already disastrous, will accelerate. And if anyone important should die, then many Thais will be doing a lot of soul-searching...

Interesting times ahead.

My personal opinion? There's a possible future in which Prayuth and his merry men are already toast. and I strongly suspect that we're already on that bus.

Winnie

Edited July 11, 2016 by Winniedapu

[Diplomatico]

Looks like some of them will be continuing to protest from prison:

"A Thai journalist and three activists have been arrested for campaigning against the ruling junta's new draft constitution, police say.

The group was detained in Thailand's western Ratchaburi province on Sunday after police searched their car and found booklets containing information on the constitution, which will be voted on in next month's referendum.

Police captain Poom Klaklaew said Taweesak Kerdpoka, from news outlet Prachatai, and three members of the New Democracy Movement had violated the Referendum Act."

Full story here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-11/thai-police-detain-four-for-opposing-junta-draft-constitution/7587096