Charter opponents are allowed to express their views in public discussions

BANGKOK: -- In order to ease political conflict in the leadup to the August 7 referendum, the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Committee have agreed to allow opponents of the draft constitution to join in public discussions on the draft with impunity.

Election commissioner in charge of elections Mr Somchai Srisutthiyakorn disclosed on Friday that the planned public discussions of the controversial draft charter which would be participated by those who disagree with the document would be aired through a television station on ten occasions of about 50 minutes each.

However, he warned that the discussions would be confined to the content of the draft charter and panelists in the discussions would not be allowed to use foul language, to provide distorted information or to use the occasions to incite unrest.

In order to allow the people to have more access to the draft charter, Mr Somchai said that the EC would publish the draft in certain newspapers at least two weeks ahead of the referendum.

Meanwhile, a representative of the New Democracy Movement called on the EC and the CDC to allow open and free discussions on the draft by all stakeholders so that the public will have a chance to hear differing opinions.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/charter-opponents-allowed-express-views-public-discussions/


-- Thai PBS 2016-07-15

So one day you get detained and jailed, the next its OK.

The clowns just make it up as they go.

Just a way to compile a list of dissidents?

"In order to allow the people to have more access to the draft charter, Mr Somchai said that the EC would publish the draft in certain newspapers at least two weeks ahead of the referendum."

The draft is over 100 pages long. How many papers will want to publish it, and how many people will want to read it? More important, how many people will understand over 100 pages of legalese?

The best solution has always been to allow people with knowledge of Thai law, politics, precedents and history to read the constitution, identify contentious parts, and openly debate the pros and cons in a public forum. It's unfortunate this process will start so late, and questionable how open the debate will be.

Meanwhile the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission officials have been given immunity from criminal and civil lawsuits if they pull the plug on TV and radio stations deemed to run illegal content such as news deemed to harm national security, dishonest criticism of the NCPO, information causing incitement and division, calls for assembly to oppose state authorities.

Is it safe to express one views in public? Because it doesn't seem to be.

OK, ten 50-minute rounds. Discussions confined to content of draft charter. No foul language. No distorted information. And, no inciting unrest.

Let the contest begin!

But, But, But says it all.

Good to go. About three weeks for discussion.

Does anybody know what is in the new draft charter yet??

Who is to decide if information/opinion is "distorted"? If the "truth" incites unrest, wouldn't that be a useful outcome? If I find out someone is stealing from me "unrest" over that would be the least of their problems....

Despite any supposed ' permission ' I'd suggest people be very wary about making public comments.

Application of the law here is very flexible at the best of times and who can be sure the EC and CDC won't suddenly be overruled from on high probably without warning after someone has spoken out and offence has been taken.

Edited July 16, 20169 yr by NongKhaiKid

Be careful folks, you'll run right into another J*** regime trap,..... oops just kidding.....

However, he warned that the discussions would be confined to the content of the draft charter and panelists in the discussions would not be allowed to use foul language, to provide distorted information or to use the occasions to incite unrest.

I would have some Mexican refried beans before going to the discussion, fully loaded.

Woopee!! Thank you very much! About time.

Oops. The iron fist didn't work, so now they giving the velvet glove a try. Ass-about-face as usual from these people.

Seems a bit panicky to me. But the increasing oppression in the lead up to the referendum was predictable, and predicted, so I suppose this is just one further step along the road to ruin.

The poor luvvies are very, very frightened, because the world is watching, the world 'understands' Thailand, and the world really understands what an illegal, coup d'état government is. Thais they don't care about, but being seen to have no clothes by people who can impose sanctions and cost their rich mates money frightens the life out of them.

I suppose at one level, you could say that the people of Turkey, unlike the people of Thailand, don't accept a coup d'état just because some thug threatens to shove a gun in their face, though I accept it's a bit more complex than that.

Winnie

Edited July 16, 20169 yr by Winniedapu

So now it needs the explicit permission of the EC and CDC to freely express an opinion.

I was of the naive opinion that this was guaranteed by the constitution. Silly me.

Without Dr. Wisanu's or Prayut's approval this agreement is meritless. Decisions made by the NCPO delivered in any form have the force of law. The best Meechai and Somchai can offer is a policy.

Why have we got to wait another three weeks, they could tell us the result now.