A UN office statement released yesterday said Eliasson had met on June 29 with Vice Foreign Minister Virasakdi Futrakul who reported to him on the country’s situation and referendum procedures.

The statement said Eliasson expressed concern about restrictions on rights and liberties and stressed the importance of the rule of law in supporting reconciliation and democracy.

The report said the UN was ready to help Thailand in achieving reconciliation and sustained democracy via open and inclusive dialogues.

National Legislative Assembly president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai defended the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s rejection of a proposal from the National Steering Reform Assembly to relax the ban on political gatherings and meetings.

Pornpetch said the NCPO wanted to maintain peace and order before the people cast their ballots in the referendum.

“Political parties do not need to do anything, as the results of the referendum would go according to the decision of the people,” he said.

Thammasat University deputy rector Prinya Thaewanarumitkul said at a charter content seminar held at Rangsit University yesterday he believed that even if the charter draft passed the referendum, there will be questions about its legitimacy because the government did not allow freedom of expression before people cast their ballots.

He said if the voter turnout was less than half, the draft would have a problem of legitimacy.

“If the charter draft is rejected in the referendum, the public may call for a general election immediately and this might lead to political turmoil,” he said.

He urged the NCPO to make it clear what were the consequences if the draft were to be rejected. “Do not let the people choose between evil or darkness,” he said.

Pairoj Polpet, adviser to the Peoples Council for National Reform, expressed concern that if the draft passed the referendum there could be a confrontation and a new round of conflict.

“The problems facing the country would not be solved during the five-year period that is indicated in the draft,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry permanent secretary’s order issued on June 28 to every provincial governor instructed on the setting-up of a provincial centre and district centres to keep peace and order during the run-up to the referendum. The centre has become the subject of a controversy following the revelation this week by the government. Critics fear that it would tighten the government’s grip on freedom of expression ahead of the referendum.

The provincial centre would be headed by the governor and the district centres would be led by district chiefs. The centre would carry out management, intelligence and prepare measures against public gatherings.

The intelligence report must be submitted in three periods, from July 1 to August 6, during the referendum date, and afterwards from August 8-10.

The centres would have to draw up contingency plans in case of different scenarios and evaluate risk areas and monitoring situations. They must cooperate with other state sectors to keep peace and order, step up security by ensuring security officials work throughout shifts, check security cameras, ensure officials at checkpoints carry out their duty, and patrolling. The centres have to keep heads of the centre informed every day.