The EC said yesterday state agencies linked to the song had no intention of discriminating against any group of people, as has been alleged by critics of the song.

The agency said the revision of the song’s lyrics was “for the public contentment”.

Critics said the original lyrics suggested that people from the North and the Northeast were politically naive or even gullible. The two regions are viewed as the main political strongholds of the Shinawatra camp.

EC member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn announced yesterday that the revised song had been submitted to the agency and would be launched today.

He denied the revision meant the agency admitted to fault concerning geographical discrimination. Rather, he said, the change showed the EC cared about public sentiment and was willing to do anything to cheer people up.

The revised version still features four regional dialects but refers to Thais as a whole rather than by specific regions.

Commenting on an anti-charter song produced by the activist group Resistant Citizen, Somchai said the EC would submit a statement concerning lyrics containing allegedly false information about the constitution for the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) to judge. The CDC’s verdict would be considered before the EC proceeded with legal action against the group, he added.

Besides false messages, the song also allegedly includes inappropriate language that is open to debate, Somchai said.

He said the media would have to judge for themselves whether the lyrics were rude and whether they should broadcast or report them to the public.

He emphasised that people spreading the message would be held responsible should a court find the song violates the referendum law.

Resistant Citizen announced last week it would perform in front of the EC’s office at 4pm tomorrow in protest against the perceived unfair criticism of the video featuring the song and dancing.

Somchai said the group had the right to do so and such action would not violate the referendum law, which prohibits only the “spreading” of “false”, “rude” or “intimidating” messages via the mass media and the Internet.

The press, however, would have to be careful reporting the issue, he said.

Somchai also expressed concern for the group because it planned to protest in the afternoon when many civil servants leave work, so the action could stir discontent if it causes traffic problems.

While reiterating that the group could perform the song, he recommended that it changes the time of the protest.

In a related development, Somchai said 17 out of 20 digital TV channels agreed to air an EC-sponsored programme on the referendum and the charter to help to disseminate information.

WorkPoint Channel declined the request for legal reasons, while two other stations would inform the EC next week, he said.

Somchai said channels were free to produce the programmes of their own and invite both opponents and proponents of the draft charter to appear.

He suggested people such as former minister Chaturon Chaisang and “red shirt” leaders Nattawut Saikua and Jatuporn Prompan as potential commentators opposing the draft, while anyone from the CDC could serve as supporters.

Somchai also complimented Nattawut’s recently released folk song about the constitution, saying the song was constructive and reasonable.

He added that he did not personally think the song violated the referendum law, but the EC would consider any complaints filed against it.