NLA’s 1st Vice President confirms no attempt to influence people’s opinions of draft charter

[rooster59]

NLA’s 1st Vice President confirms no attempt to influence people’s opinions of draft charter

Kitti Cheevasittiyanon

BANGKOK, 24 July 2016 (NNT) – A vice president of the National Legislative Assembly has confirmed that the legislature will not try to influence the opinions of the people regarding the proposed new charter.

NLA’s 1st Vice President Surachai Liengboonlertchai said that the upcoming public referendum on the draft Constitution will be an opportunity for the people of Thailand to think and decide what the country’s highest law will be.

Mr. Surachai added that the NLA has proposed an additional question to really get to know the public’s opinion about the election of the future prime minister, during the next five years after the new charter is in effect, specifically about the proposal that a joint session of the Lower House and the Upper House should help select the most qualified individual to lead the next government.

Mr. Surachai’s assertion was heard at a seminar on the draft Constitution, the referendum question and the public referendum scheduled on August 7, which was also joined by members of the Constitution Drafting Commission.

Deputy Chairman of the CDC Supoj Kaimuk added that the new charter is not entirely about politics but is also related to the rights and freedoms of the people as well as the development of Thailand in various areas.

Other members of the charter drafting team, including Assistant Professor Thitipan Chueboonchai gave assurances that the new charter is not calling for an end to the universal health care service nor the present financial welfare for the elderly and the underprivileged.

-- NNT 2016-07-24

[Thailand]

Lost for words!

[Somtamnication]

My wife and her family are absolutely terrified to vote no.

So surreal.

[waldroj]

Deprived of the chance to hear any criticism of the draft Constitution (by law), it is hardly likely the referendum will be "...An opportunity for the people of Thailand to think and decide..."!

Unfortunately, as comical as this phrase may appear, the Thai people's tacit acceptance of the draft Constitution and the junta's model to select the (next) PM is no laughing matter.

[aussieinthailand]

A little bit late for confirming no influence, The junta has spent million's on influencing people on the draft. What a load of bull dust...

[chainarong]

The direction the Junta has taken Thailand since coming into power , one would need a lot more than a guarantee from Surachai if one placed an "Against" advert in the Post or Nation , there possibly is no influence on the surface, however , just dig a little under the Prayut transparency and watch that versatile section 44 swing into action, freedom's just another word in Thailand.......................................... .

[baboon]

My wife and her family are absolutely terrified to vote no.

So surreal.

I'm afraid this is also the case in the baboon household. Despite living in an area as yellow as jaundice I very much doubt the authorities are paying much attention to, Mrs. Baboon really does fear soldiers turning up at any time and carting people away, never to be seen again. This is not a woman with a normally overactive imagination to say the least... Edited July 24, 2016 by baboon

[The stuttering parrot]

Day after day sometimes 2 to 3 articles on this very same subject.

Just shows how insecure and weak they really are when they have to resort to these gentle reminders and subliminal threats to do what your told and vote yes.

And by the way feel free to share your views on voting no. Just leave your Name and address and we will contact you shortly.

[klauskunkel]

help select the most qualified individual to lead the next government.

and just what are the qualifications needed to lead the country?

Aw, just run a <deleted>' ad in the papers, because - frankly - all the 'talent' from your hiring pool sucks.

[jcsmith]

So basically we have a charter that very few will read in its entirety, and few who do will fully understand, and the only people who are allowed to explain it are those who represent the junta and are trying to push it's controversial policies through. Nobody else is allowed to speak about it. Sounds fair to me.

[Hawk]

"NLAs 1st Vice President Surachai Liengboonlertchai said that the upcoming public referendum on the draft Constitution will be an opportunity for the people of Thailand to think and decide what the countrys highest law will be."

How can anyone think or decide when they have no idea what the charter even says?

[Hawk]

My wife and her family are absolutely terrified to vote no.

So surreal.

All the folks I know feel that they must vote, and vote yes, even though they have absolutely no idea what the new charter even says or how it will actually effect them.

The military's intimidation has been extremely successful.

[dominique355]

The NLA will not try to influence people . OK.

Now NCPO, EC, NBTC etc...that's another question.

[heybruce]

"NLA’s 1st Vice President Surachai Liengboonlertchai said that the upcoming public referendum on the draft Constitution will be an opportunity for the people of Thailand to think and decide what the country’s highest law will be."

This will be the twentieth highest law in Thailand since 1932. Is it possible there is a higher law, maybe a military that suspends constitutions whenever it wants to?