Supachai said opinions on the song, “Participate in August 7 Referendum”, were subjective and the lyrics were not inciting or intimidating as alleged.

The song had been slammed for carrying negative connotations, particularly towards some residents of the North.

Supachai said the EC would not stop publicising the song because it did not break any rules.

EC member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn also said he did not believe the song insulted anybody in any region of the country and there was no need to suspend it.

“Sometimes society overreacts and pays attention to non-essential things,” he said.

Somkid Chuakong, former Pheu Thai Party MP for Ubon Ratchathani, said the song cast people from the North and Northeast in a bad light as it described them as stupid and easy to persuade.

“The EC should respect people’s decision and I wonder if they are discriminating against people from the North and Northeast?” he asked, calling on the EC to review the lyrics since it caused ill-feeling among some people.

Part of the song’s lyric goes: “Isaan brothers, don’t let anyone dictate your decision. Use your judgement, look at content and important principles. Exercise your voting right, take responsibility for the country. Get to know yourself and others. Do not let others cheat you.”

Phra Sanyaluk Donsri, a noted composer who wrote the song, said he had no intention to look down on anyone. “Critics can interpret the song with discrimination or with political motivation,” he said.

Meanwhile, United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) co-leader Nattawut Saikua offered the EC another song on the referendum free of charge and would be shared on Facebooktoday.

“I believe this song would be useful as it touches upon people from diverse backgrounds,” he said.

In a related development, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said the EC was cooperating with military units in different regions to hold public hearings to gather public opinion.

He said the public hearings would be similar to those held on May 19 to gather suggestions from politicians, adding that the first hearing would be held on June 11. He said that he would be present at the hearing, along with members of the Constitution Drafting Commission and the National Legislative Assembly.

He also said that the May 19 hearing with politicians was “unbelievably successful”.

“I had no prepared answers, because I did not know what they were going to ask,” he said.

When asked what the government would do if the draft charter failed the referendum, he said a new one would be written.