In a three-page statement released yesterday, the previously ruling party said that the 2016 Referendum Act for the Draft Constitution should be revised because it contained clauses that “limit the people’s rights to express their opinions” and some “ambiguous” provisions.

“Pheu Thai Party sees that the best way out is to make further amendments to the Referendum Act 2016 so that it is clear, fair and is in line with the international standard,” the statement said.

“All sectors should be able to fully express their opinions and conduct campaigns for the referendum. When the people are able to fully express their opinions, whatever the outcome, the result will become acceptable. But if the situation is left as it is now, there will only be more conflicts.”

The party noted that Article 7 of the referendum law guaranteed individuals’ right to express and disseminate their opinions in an honest manner that did not breach the law. But Article 10 allows Constitution Drafting Commission officials to freely disseminate and publicise contents of the draft charter.

Pheu Thai said that due to its “ambiguous provision”, Article 61 would allow authorities to “make broad interpretations” that could result in offenders being jailed for up to 10 years.

The party noted that the clause prohibits the use of rude or insulting words when commenting on the draft constitution in the run-up to the vote. It said that such an offence was minor under the Penal Code, with a maximum penalty of one-month imprisonment.

Pheu Thai said that its statement was issued after the government and the National Council for Peace and Order failed to positively respond to calls from various sectors of society and some international organisations to ensure a referendum “that is open to different opinions from all sides”.

The party also called for a political environment that allowed people to “use their judgement to choose the future of their country”.

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on the government and the NCPO to heed the concerns expressed by foreign countries and international organisations regarding the human rights situation in Thailand.

Yingluck, a key Pheu Thai figure, said that she wanted the people in power to ensure an atmosphere suitable for the referendum.

“As a citizen, I want to see an atmosphere that allows people to express their opinions freely and without any concerns, so that a lot of people will turn out to vote,” she said.

Yingluck was speaking yesterday at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders while attending her trial for negligence in relation to her then government’s rice-pledging scheme.