Constitution Drafting Assembly Appointed by Royal Decree

[Jai Dee]

State religion rejected

CDA votes 66-9 against special status for Buddhism; approves recognition of rights of gays and transsexuals

The Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) yesterday rejected recognition of Buddhism as the national religion in the new constitution by a 66-9 vote following five hours of intense deliberations.

The decision upset protesting monks and lay Buddhists, who vowed to launch a campaign to reject the junta-sponsored draft charter.

"They are already our enemies," one monk, who asked not to be identified, said minutes after the CDA voted at 3.15pm.

"We won't endorse this draft charter. We will have to wait until August to see if we are successful," said another monk, who also withheld his name.

The CDA's decision means Article 2 of the General Provisions chapter of the charter defines Thailand as a democratically ruled country with the King as the head of state, without any mention of Buddhism as the state religion.

As consolation, the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) earlier amended Article 78 to state that "the state shall provide patronage and protection to Buddhism, which is the religion wherein most people profess, and other faiths...."

The CDA yesterday also voted to include a clause to recognise homosexuals and transsexual individuals and assure they would "enjoy equal rights".

The assembly noted however that such recognition would not lead to sanctioning "homosexual consummation".

CDA members who favoured Buddhism as the state religion tried to request a secret vote on the clause, but could not muster the necessary support for the motion.

The debate on state religion began with CDC chairman Prasong Soonsiri telling the assembly why his committee felt Buddhism should not be recognised as the national religion in the charter.

He cited possible repercussions on inter-religious harmony and argued that making Buddhism the national religion would make no difference as to whether it flourished or declined in the Kingdom.

"Nobody should have privilege over another person [due to their religious background]," Prasong told the assembly. "Thailand doesn't rely on Buddhism as the basis of its law and to recognise Buddhism [as national religion] would be against a democratic system."

More than a dozen speakers for both sides took turns trying to convince their fellow CDA members from 10am until 3pm.

Decho Suwannanond said there should be no cause for worry as many other countries recognised one religion or another as the national religion. He cited Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Burma as examples of countries with Buddhism as the national religion.

Kiattichai Pongpanich countered that Thailand would suffer greater inter-religious violence of the kind witnessed in Sri Lanka and even Burma, where Buddhist and Christian Karen were at odds with one another.

"It will enable religious fanatics to try to 'cleanse' society and make it 'pure' by dismantling aspects of globalisation. What will happen then?" Kiattichai asked. "Today is the day to decide clearly."

Proponents didn't give up, however, and argued that there was no concrete evidence that recognising Buddhism as the national religion in a country where 95 per cent of the population regarded themselves as Buddhists would lead to religious rifts.

Pichian Amnajvoraprasert even urged CDA members to vote for the Buddhism clause as a means to earn religious "merit".

After failing to achieve a consensus, CDA member Chirmsak Pinthong changed tactics. He alleged that a general had invited batches of CDA members for meetings, only to show them videos of Buddhist monks being killed in the deep South.

"We were then told that we must help make Buddhism the national religion," Chirmsak said.

He also alleged that some people had threatened not to vote for him if he ran for office in future if he did not support them on the issue.

In the evening, the debate on the number and ratio of elected and appointed senators was revived in the assembly. Some members proposed increasing the number of senators from 150 to 160, and the number of those elected at the provincial level from 76 to 120 to reflect the population differences between various provinces.

Karun Sai-ngam interrupted the discussion with the warning that it was not in the CDA's mandate to revisit issues that had already been approved by the assembly.

The CDA also agreed to amend Article 186 to require Parliament's approval for any government agreement with a foreign country that would have "wide" economic and social impact "within 60 days", and for the government to make the proposed agreement public before signing it.

The conditions were added because Parliament would not be able to deliberate on all the related issues.

Meanwhile, Natee Theerarojnapong, president of the Gay Political Group of Thailand, burst into tears on being told that the CDA had agreed to recognise the rights of gays and lesbians by stating in Article 30 of the charter that differences in "sexual identity" could not be grounds for discrimination.

"This is what we have fought for for decades," he said.

Natee said he believed that Sutthirat Simsiriwong's case had prompted the assembly to recognise gay rights [page 2].

"His case was concrete evidence that discrimination against gays does exist in this country," he said.

The CDA will continue deliberations on the draft constitution today and tomorrow.

Source: The Nation - 30 June 2007

[cdnvic]

State religion rejected

CDA votes 66-9 against special status for Buddhism; approves recognition of rights of gays and transsexuals

Common sense prevails all around. You don't see that often in any country.

[Jai Dee]

Gays to get equal status under new Thai charter

Writers of Thailand's post-coup constitution agreed on Friday to give gay, lesbian, transgender and transvestite groups official status in the new charter to try to end discrimination.

Along with a guarantee of equal rights for men and women, the 100-member drafting council voted unanimously to include a reference to "those of other sexual identities" in the new charter, due to be put to Thailand's first referendum in August.

"This council has already guaranteed equal rights for the disabled, so why can't we give the same treatment to those who have sexual preferences," said charter write Chirmsak Pinthong, who sponsored the idea.

Earlier this month, the council rejected a proposal to guarantee the rights of those with various sexual orientations, saying it would create a legal status of a "third sex".

Gay rights groups welcomed the inclusion, saying it would pave the way for fairer treatment.

"The clause will guarantee our basic rights that have been ignored for such a long time," Natee Teerarojjanapongs of the Thai Political Gay Group told Reuters in tears.

"We hope it will help end all sorts of discrimination against us," said Natee, who said he and his male partner were refused life insurance by a number of companies who viewed homosexuals as carrying a far higher risk than heterosexuals.

On the surface, Thailand appears very tolerant of homosexuality, with many openly gay celebrities.

Transvestites, or "katoeys" as they are called in Thai, are commonplace in offices, schools and on television, and Bangkok is a world centre of sex-change surgery.

However, the predominantly Buddhist country remains deeply conservative at heart and still had many rules and regulations discriminating against non-heterosexuals, gays activists say.

Transvestites are barred from compulsory military service, but army chiefs made a small concession two years ago, branding them "physically unfit" rather than "permanently insane".

However, many cross-dressers turned away before 2005 still carry the "permanently insane" stamp on their military draft cards -- documents needed for job applications.

The inclusion of the gay rights in the draft constitution came a day after a Thai gay rights group launched a boycott of a Bangkok night club run by European hotel chain after bouncers refused entry to a male transvestite.

The club denied any discrimination.

Source: Reuters - 30 June 2007

[Jai Dee]

CDC Chairman disagrees w/ announcement of TRT to overturn charter draft

The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), Squadron Leader Prasong Soonsiri, says he disagrees with the Thai Rak Thai group’s declaration to overturn the charter draft because he believes the draft is better that the 1997 Constitution.

Sqn. Ldr. Prasong Soonsiri says the Thai Rak Thai group should state its reason to reject the new constitution draft as he personally sees that it is better than the 1997 Constitution. He also says the general election will be postponed if the charter draft has been overturned, and it would not benefit the general public.

Meanwhile, Council for National Security (CNS) Deputy Chairman Chalit Pukpasuk mentions that the 1997 Constitution would be used with some changes if the new charter draft has not been approved by the constitution referendum. The CDC Chairman however says the 1997 Constitution does not necessarily have to be used as other versions can be applied as well.

Concerning a party to be formed by former Thai Rak Thai members, Sqn. Ldr. Prasong compares the party as an old drink in a new bottle. Thus, he would like to warn people to use their discretion on this issue.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 July 2007

[Mid]

He also says the general election will be postponed if the charter draft has been overturned,

keep flogging it .......................

[sriracha john]

CPD attacks Thaksin for trying to shoot down draft charter

The Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD) Tuesday attacked ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra for trying to defeat a referendum on the new constitution in order to catapult himself back in power once again.

"The call for charter rejection by disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party has an ulterior motive to destroy the Council for National Security (CNS), paving way for Thaksin and his family to elude the law and grab power," CPD secretary general Suriyasai Katasila said.

He said under Thaksin's scheming, the referendum defeat will give momentum for further demands like the end of all legal proceedings against the ousted premier and the cancellation of the verdict to dissolve the former ruling party.

Leading intellectuals and activists opposing the coup should safeguard themselves from falling prey to the scheme, he said.

All parties concerned should allow the exploitation of the votes on the new constitution to determine the future of Thaksin and his family, he said.

- The Nation

======================

Apparent typo in the last sentence... would presume "should not"

Edited July 4, 2007 by sriracha john

[Mid]

and there it is , oh so very simple now ,

anything that upsets the plan is simply painted with t's smell and voilà ........................

Yes SIR , No SIR , Three Bags Full SIR .

[marshbags]

The Nation / Opinion

Wed. July 4th 2007

Ref. url

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/04...on_30039232.php

Quote

Stoppage time :

Guidelines for all 'proxy-voter' wannabes out there

It seems to me that a lot of people don't care much about the contents of the draft constitution, yet many have already made up their minds whether to accept or reject it at the upcoming referendum.

The August 19 vote on the charter has become a political proxy war, which isn't too bad, actually. If you don't have time to study the draft or are simply too tired or lazy, you may simply toe the lines of the rival camps.

If you have decided to be one of these proxy voters, here are my guidelines:

Vote "Yes" if every time you dream that Thaksin Shinawatra has come back as prime minister, you wake up in a cold sweat and then heave a long sigh of relief after coming to the realisation that Thailand is still under a repressive military junta.

Vote "No" if you cry knowing that dream was just a dream.

Vote "No" if you would be unhappy with such a dream but find reality under the junta sadder.

Vote "Yes" if you think it was Thaksin who doomed the 1997 constitution through corruption, abuse and disregard for its true spirit.

Vote "No" if you think the corruption, abuse and disregard for its spirit were just a pretext for the September 19 coup, which you believe is the real destroyer of the 1997 charter.

Vote "No" if you think the military must be taught a lesson.

Vote "Yes" if you think it's a route back to democracy, no matter how bumpy, so that we can leave it all behind and start anew.

Vote "No" if you think voting "Yes" would serve to rubberstamp military interference and opportunism, thus damning Thailand to live with the whims of the ambitious top brass eternally.

Vote "Yes" if you are praying for Manchester City to be relegated next season and consider the purchase of the British football club to be "Assets Concealment Episode V".

Vote "No" if your bottom line is, "At least he was a democratically elected leader, who should have been ousted through democratic means, no matter how corrupt he was". Politicians' secret wealth, you believe, is nothing compared to the hidden and uncontrolled agendas of men in uniforms.

Vote "Yes" if you think Thaksin caused the unprecedented divide that still threatens to break apart our nation.

Vote "No" if you think a perfectly normal political split was exacerbated by opponents hel_l bent on toppling him at all costs, thus shoving our country to the brink.

Vote "Yes" if you think voting "No" would prolong our country's plight.

Vote "No" if you think voting "Yes" would keep the real cause of our country's ills alive - the military, that is.

Vote "Yes" if you want to take both Thaksin and the military out of the equation through a relatively early election. Let's get this over with, and quickly.

Vote "No" if you think Thaksin is already out of the equation, and that it's better to square off against the military than to sit back and entertain false hopes that the generals would voluntarily leave the scene after the poll. It's worth waiting a few more weeks as long as the power-hungry military is snubbed and embarrassed.

Vote "Yes" if you are satisfied by the Assets Examination Committee's investigation so far. They have done their best to prove that Thaksin had broken many laws, and a country with a better rule of law could have forced him out based on the evidence they found without the need for a coup.

Vote "No" if you think the charges are nonsense, or if you think that those charges were justified, but the coup prevented them from being brought against Thaksin in a normal democratic atmosphere. The junta gave democracy no chance.

There you go. In fact, these guidelines are based on the who-you-want-to-shoot-first principle. If you are confused by this article, imagine you have a gun in your hand with a helpless Thaksin and General Sonthi Boonyaratglin in front of you and then vote with your heart.

For the record here, I personally will judge the charter draft on its promises, not on its origin, simply because why we have wound up here is not that simple. We have lost a very noble charter created from a noble process and the country has been divided down the middle. So, perhaps giving a chance to a draft constitution that has risen from the ruins of such division may not be such a bad idea.

Tulsathit Tapti

Unquote

There are be some very debatable and relevant comparisons / points made in the yes / no section, but for me, the last 2 paragraphs that i,ve done in bold ( yellow doesn,t show to well ) to highlight it,s meaning for all Thailands citizens, are surely the most important reasons to vote on it,s acceptance and in doing so will benefit the long term future in a far more positive way.

IMHO, of course

marshbags

Edited July 4, 2007 by marshbags

[hammered]

The Nation / Opinion

Wed. July 4th 2007

Ref. url

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/07/04...on_30039232.php

Quote

Stoppage time :

Guidelines for all 'proxy-voter' wannabes out there

It seems to me that a lot of people don't care much about the contents of the draft constitution, yet many have already made up their minds whether to accept or reject it at the upcoming referendum.

The August 19 vote on the charter has become a political proxy war, which isn't too bad, actually. If you don't have time to study the draft or are simply too tired or lazy, you may simply toe the lines of the rival camps.

If you have decided to be one of these proxy voters, here are my guidelines:

Vote "Yes" if every time you dream that Thaksin Shinawatra has come back as prime minister, you wake up in a cold sweat and then heave a long sigh of relief after coming to the realisation that Thailand is still under a repressive military junta.

Vote "No" if you cry knowing that dream was just a dream.

Vote "No" if you would be unhappy with such a dream but find reality under the junta sadder.

Vote "Yes" if you think it was Thaksin who doomed the 1997 constitution through corruption, abuse and disregard for its true spirit.

Vote "No" if you think the corruption, abuse and disregard for its spirit were just a pretext for the September 19 coup, which you believe is the real destroyer of the 1997 charter.

Vote "No" if you think the military must be taught a lesson.

Vote "Yes" if you think it's a route back to democracy, no matter how bumpy, so that we can leave it all behind and start anew.

Vote "No" if you think voting "Yes" would serve to rubberstamp military interference and opportunism, thus damning Thailand to live with the whims of the ambitious top brass eternally.

Vote "Yes" if you are praying for Manchester City to be relegated next season and consider the purchase of the British football club to be "Assets Concealment Episode V".

Vote "No" if your bottom line is, "At least he was a democratically elected leader, who should have been ousted through democratic means, no matter how corrupt he was". Politicians' secret wealth, you believe, is nothing compared to the hidden and uncontrolled agendas of men in uniforms.

Vote "Yes" if you think Thaksin caused the unprecedented divide that still threatens to break apart our nation.

Vote "No" if you think a perfectly normal political split was exacerbated by opponents hel_l bent on toppling him at all costs, thus shoving our country to the brink.

Vote "Yes" if you think voting "No" would prolong our country's plight.

Vote "No" if you think voting "Yes" would keep the real cause of our country's ills alive - the military, that is.

Vote "Yes" if you want to take both Thaksin and the military out of the equation through a relatively early election. Let's get this over with, and quickly.

Vote "No" if you think Thaksin is already out of the equation, and that it's better to square off against the military than to sit back and entertain false hopes that the generals would voluntarily leave the scene after the poll. It's worth waiting a few more weeks as long as the power-hungry military is snubbed and embarrassed.

Vote "Yes" if you are satisfied by the Assets Examination Committee's investigation so far. They have done their best to prove that Thaksin had broken many laws, and a country with a better rule of law could have forced him out based on the evidence they found without the need for a coup.

Vote "No" if you think the charges are nonsense, or if you think that those charges were justified, but the coup prevented them from being brought against Thaksin in a normal democratic atmosphere. The junta gave democracy no chance.

There you go. In fact, these guidelines are based on the who-you-want-to-shoot-first principle. If you are confused by this article, imagine you have a gun in your hand with a helpless Thaksin and General Sonthi Boonyaratglin in front of you and then vote with your heart.

For the record here, I personally will judge the charter draft on its promises, not on its origin, simply because why we have wound up here is not that simple. We have lost a very noble charter created from a noble process and the country has been divided down the middle. So, perhaps giving a chance to a draft constitution that has risen from the ruins of such division may not be such a bad idea.

Tulsathit Taptim

Unquote

There are be some very debatable and relevant comparisons / points made in the yes / no section, but for me, the last 2 paragraphs that i,ve coloured in yellow to highlight it,s meaning for all Thailands citizens, are surely the most important reasons to vote on it,s acceptance and in doing so will benefit the long term future in a far more positive way.

IMHO, of course

marshbags

There are good and bad points in the consttitution. However, I doubt that the vote will be about what is in the constitution in the vast majority of cases, which is the real unfortunate thing.

[Jai Dee]

CNS Chairman confident 2007 constitutional draft will be approved by public opinion survey

The Chairman of the Council for National Security is confident that the 2007 constitutional draft will be approved during the public opinion survey.

Chairman of the Council for National Security and Army Commander in Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin expressed his confidence that the 2007 public opinion survey will result in approval of the 2007 constitutional draft. Gen Sonthi agreed with Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont's belief that elections can be held in the end of November.

Meanwhile Minister of Defense Gen Boonroth Somatas (บุญรอด สมทัศน์ ) denied to comment on the incident in which members of the former Thai Rak Thai Party called for the dissolution of the constitutional draft. Gen Boonroth said that officials, including Cabinet members, and CNS Chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin have already addressed the issue yesterday (July 3).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 July 2007

[Mid]

2007 public opinion survey

hard to let that one go by without comment .

[hammered]

CNS Chairman confident 2007 constitutional draft will be approved by public opinion survey

The Chairman of the Council for National Security is confident that the 2007 constitutional draft will be approved during the public opinion survey.

Chairman of the Council for National Security and Army Commander in Chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin expressed his confidence that the 2007 public opinion survey will result in approval of the 2007 constitutional draft. Gen Sonthi agreed with Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont's belief that elections can be held in the end of November.

Meanwhile Minister of Defense Gen Boonroth Somatas (บุญรอด สมทัศน์ ) denied to comment on the incident in which members of the former Thai Rak Thai Party called for the dissolution of the constitutional draft. Gen Boonroth said that officials, including Cabinet members, and CNS Chairman Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin have already addressed the issue yesterday (July 3).

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 July 2007

What exactly did ex-TRT call for? I thought they called for a no vote but this seems to read differently. I think it is time to check out what was said in Thai.

[Jai Dee]

CDA Deputy Chairman concerned over movements to boycott charter draft

The Deputy Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) expresses concern over movements to boycott the constitution draft.

CDA Deputy Chairman Seri Suwanpanon (เสรี สุวรรณภานนท์) says the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has completed the amendments made to wording and some articles of the charter draft. In addition, CDA has increased the articles from 299 to 309 and sent the draft to CDC for consideration. CDA will hold a meeting tomorrow (July, 6th) to vote whether to approve or disapprove the draft.

However, the deputy chairman admits that he is concerned over those who are not satisfied with CDA’s resolution to not designate Buddhism as the national religion and politicians who might lose benefits in the new charter. He therefore calls on people to carefully study the constitution draft and consider the country’s situation before deciding to vote for or against the draft.

Mr Seri adds that he has discussed the draft of the Referendum Act with Chairman of the National Legislative Assembly (NLA), Meechai Ruchuphan (มีชัย ฤชุพันธ์). He says the NLA chairman and him agree that punishments for those who campaign against the charter draft might be illegal.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Minister of Interior affirms officials attempting to create understanding regarding 2007 constitution

The Minister of Interior affirms that all efforts are being made to create public understanding regarding the 2007 constitutional draft.

Minister of Interior Aree Wongareeya said that the government will hold elections at the end of the year, according to dates set by Prime Minister Gen Surayud Chulanont. Mr. Aree said that an essential prelude to general elections is approval of the 2007 constitution through a public opinion survey. The minister said that political elements who are opposed to the public opinion survey are entitled to their opinion though the government will nonetheless proceed with its work.

Mr. Aree asked all parties to take into account the welfare of the nation. He added that since the Public Opinion Survey Act was not yet implemented, members of the public should use their personal judgement in deciding whether or not to support the 2007 constitutional draft.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

[sriracha john]

Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. A council was set Friday to approve its final draft of a new constitution that is meant to guide Thailand back to democracy after last year's coup and curb the premier's power.

AFP

Thailand unveils charter to curb premier's power

BANGKOK (AFP) - A council was set Friday to approve its final draft of a new constitution that is meant to guide Thailand back to democracy after last year's coup.

The document will go to a referendum next month but campaigning is already under way to reject it, a result which analysts fear could prompt fresh turmoil in the troubled country.

Once the Constitution Drafting Assembly approves the document, some 19 million copies of the 150-page charter will be distributed to every household in the country ahead of the referendum.

The military, which ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawata last September, is pressing hard for voters to approve the charter that they say will rein in the powers of future premiers.

Shortly after the generals seized power, they tossed out Thailand's 1997 constitution, which had been widely hailed as the most democratic the kingdom had ever known.

But the military accused Thaksin of exploiting loopholes in the charter to consolidate power in the prime minister's office and to enrich his business empire.

They say the new charter will improve the system of checks and balances, limiting the prime minister to eight years in office and making it easier to launch impeachment proceedings.

It would also bar the premier from major holdings in private firms, particularly media companies, and expand financial disclosure rules to cover the entire cabinet and the parliament.

Parliament would be slightly smaller, and the Senate would have nearly half of its members appointed by a special panel of judges, election officials, and civic groups.

"The constitution is really anti-political parties and anti-politician," said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak.

"It's a retribution for the Thaksin years," he added.

Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party grew into a political powerhouse in part by swallowing up smaller parties. The new charter would prevent that in the future by making it more difficult for parties to merge.

Diverse groups are already campaigning to defeat the constitution. Buddhist monks are against the charter because it does not enshrine their faith as a national religion.

Democracy advocates oppose it because the document was written by a military-appointed panel without enough public input -- unlike the 1997 constitution that resulted from years of public consultations.

And Thaksin's allies are opposing the charter to show that they remain a political force at the ballot box, even though a court has officially disbanded their party and Thaksin is in exile.

Analysts say that opposition to the constitution threatens to turn the referendum into a new flash point in the country's raucous politics.

If voters approve the charter, opponents could take to the streets.

If they reject it, the military has reserved the right to impose its own constitution, which would cast doubt on the legitimacy of future elections, Thitinan said.

Tensions are already mounting, with the head of the constitutional committee calling its critics "thugs."

"I want everyone who wants to reject the constitution to explain their reasons why. Otherwise people will not understand, and then they are just like thugs," Prason Soonsiri said.

- AFP

[sriracha john]

it's done...

BREAKING NEWS

CDA unanimously accepts draft constitution

Constitution Drafting Assembly voted unanimously to accept the draft constitution on Friday. All of the 98 CDA members voted to accept the bill while two others are absent. The voting took place about 15 minutes, after each of the members speak out their decisions when their names are called. CDA chairman Noranit Setabutr proposed that public relations campaigns to publicise the draft constitution should be done on July 31 while the referendum should be set for August 19.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=119953

[hammered]

it's done...

BREAKING NEWS

CDA unanimously accepts draft constitution

Constitution Drafting Assembly voted unanimously to accept the draft constitution on Friday. All of the 98 CDA members voted to accept the bill while two others are absent. The voting took place about 15 minutes, after each of the members speak out their decisions when their names are called. CDA chairman Noranit Setabutr proposed that public relations campaigns to publicise the draft constitution should be done on July 31 while the referendum should be set for August 19.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=119953

And so battle commences. On the one side we have the organs of the state in full battle dress with theoretical control over all the levers of power nationwide. On the other we have the shadowy rural feudal warlords allied to a small and disparate group of academics and student warriors under the loose Thaksinista banner relying on the use of well entrenched now underground networks and the incentive of hard cash.

[Jai Dee]

CDA unanimously approves constitution draft

The meeting of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) agrees unanimously to pass the constitution draft despite protests in front of the Parliament House.

The charter draft gains 98 voted of approval from 100 CDA members by means of non-confidential voting. The rest two votes belong to Phisit Lee-artham (พิสิฐ ลี้อาธรรรม) and Chartchai Saegsuk (ชาติชาย แสงสุข) who are absent from the meeting.

CDA now proceeds with the publishing of 19 million copies of the constitution within 14 days. The copies will be distributed to the general public by July 31st as a preparation for the referendum scheduled to take place on August 19th.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Metropolitan Police 1 Commander says no 3rd party to instigate disorder in rally in front of Parliament

The Metropolitan Police 1 Commander, Pol. Maj. Gen. Manit Wongsomboon, says no third party has been found to instigate disorder at the demonstration in front of the Parliament.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Manit says the demonstrators in front of the Parliament have gathered since last night to protest against the new constitution draft. He says the number of the protestors is only about 900 people, and the demonstration is being held peacefully. He says the rally leaders are still giving speeches to object the charter draft, but believes the number of demonstrators will not increase significantly during this afternoon.

Pol. Maj. Gen. Manit says traffic situation near the Parliament this morning was slightly congested because of rain.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

[Jai Dee]

Sanam Luang demonstrators oppose CDA decision to approve 2007 constitution draft

Sanam Luang demonstrators expressed opposition to the Constitution Drafting Assembly's decision to approve the 2007 constitutional draft.

Following the decision of 98 members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly to unanimously approve the 2007 constitutional draft, a rally was conducted by more than 500 demonstrators in front of Parliament in order to voice their opposition. Demonstrators conducted continuous verbal attacks on the Constitution Drafting Assembly, and accused the CDA of collaborating with the Council for National Security in ensuring that military figures remains in political power.

Demonstrators accused the CDA of supporting a military dictatorship, before burning a pedestal meant to bear the constitution. Law enforcement officers were present to ensure security and prevent demonstrators from entering Dusit Palace grounds. Meanwhile the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Assembly, Squadron Leader Prasong Sunsiri (ประสงค์ สุ่นศิร), asked demonstration groups to use a reasonable approach towards their political agendas, and to take into account the nation's welfare.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

[hammered]

Sanam Luang demonstrators oppose CDA decision to approve 2007 constitution draft

Sanam Luang demonstrators expressed opposition to the Constitution Drafting Assembly's decision to approve the 2007 constitutional draft.

Following the decision of 98 members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly to unanimously approve the 2007 constitutional draft, a rally was conducted by more than 500 demonstrators in front of Parliament in order to voice their opposition. Demonstrators conducted continuous verbal attacks on the Constitution Drafting Assembly, and accused the CDA of collaborating with the Council for National Security in ensuring that military figures remains in political power.

Demonstrators accused the CDA of supporting a military dictatorship, before burning a pedestal meant to bear the constitution. Law enforcement officers were present to ensure security and prevent demonstrators from entering Dusit Palace grounds. Meanwhile the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Assembly, Squadron Leader Prasong Sunsiri (ประสงค์ สุ่นศิร), asked demonstration groups to use a reasonable approach towards their political agendas, and to take into account the nation's welfare.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

They added that wanted to ensure only Dear Leader Thaksin "Sinatra" Manchhester City backed figures, accolytes and associates were returned to political power pronto and in perpetuity.

[Jai Dee]

CDC Chairman calls on demonstrators to take into account welfare of nation

The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee asked demonstration groups to take into account the welfare of the nation.

The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, Squadron Leader Prasong Sunsiri (ประสงค์ สุ่นศิริ), revealed that Sanam Luang demonstrators are currently protesting in front of Parliament to oppose the CDC's unanimous decision to approve the 2007 constitution draft. Mr. Prasong called on demonstrators to remain rational and reconsider their decision to protest. He reiterated that the nation's welfare was of paramount importance and should take precedence over individual interests.

The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee said that Thailand's military adminstration aimed to resolve the nation's political situation, and that implementation of the 2007 constitution is necessary to ending conflicts. Mr. Prasong expressed his confidence that once general elections are held the nation's troubles will subside.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 06 July 2007

[Mid]

said that Thailand's military adminstration aimed to resolve the nation's political situation

comment , nope not me ...............................

[hammered]

Here is an article where a pro-Thaksin academic discusses the finer points of encouraging people to burn or rip up ballot papers, spoil them, or boycott the referendum while at the same time making a disparaging comment about a prominent ballot paper ripper against Mr. Thaksin:

http://www.prachatai.com/english/news.php?id=72

I wonder how our pro-Thaksin academic would propose the country move forward?

He also makes the rather simple error for a highly educated person of assuming that a spoilt paper equals a rejection. of course no such assumption can be made either for the referedum or for that matter for the previous April 2 vote. No man is a God who can determine intent. Still anyone who has worked in academia will realise that not only is it not very in touch with real situations but it also heavily relies on assumptions and general ideas that academics know more than others.

[Mid]

Here is an article

you may want to read that article again ............................

[Mid]

CDA unanimously approves constitution draft

snip

The charter draft gains 98 voted of approval from 100 CDA members by means of non-confidential voting. The rest two votes belong to Phisit Lee-artham (พิสิฐ ลี้อาธรรรม) and Chartchai Saegsuk (ชาติชาย แสงสุข) who are absent from the meeting.

small point already lost to the global media ,

however

let the record show it was not unanimous

Edited July 6, 2007 by Mid

[hammered]

Here is an article

you may want to read that article again ............................

Reading it once was enough;) Cheers

[george]

This thread continues here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=129416