IN A last-minute attempt to turn the tide, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and other key government figures announced yesterday that they would vote “Yes” in tomorrow’s referendum.

The unexpected move followed results of a “secret” survey by government agencies that there was only a slim margin of difference between people who intend to vote “Yes” and “No”, with the rejection votes higher in some regions, according to observers.

“I will go to vote in the referendum as an ordinary citizen. And I will vote “Yes” for both the constitution draft and the additional question. If I vote for only one of the questions, we won’t go anywhere. Everything will go back to square one,” General Prayut said yesterday.

The additional question asks voters whether to allow selected senators to join elected MPs in the selection of the prime minister for five years after the first Parliament convenes.

He said that he had consulted with his legal advisers and they had said making his vote stance public was not against the law. He also noted that many people had already done so with no legal problems.

However, Prayut added that he did not intend to influence anyone and he had made his stance public only as an ordinary citizen, not as the PM or the junta head.

It was the first time the PM had expressed his support for the draft constitution. Earlier, he had tried to distance himself from the draft constitution, saying it was a matter for the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC).

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda yesterday also told reporters that they would vote in support of the draft charter.

A retired Army general and former Army chief, Prayut was in full military uniform when saying he would vote for the draft. He was participating in a ceremony to mark the 129th anniversary of the Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in Nakhon Nayok.

The PM, who also heads the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), called on voters to turn out in full strength to decide the country’s future.

Political observers said that “secret polls” by government agencies had found that “No” votes were higher in the North and Northeast while respondents seemed to be split in the South, the stronghold of the Democrat Party. Democrat politicians have been split on how to vote in the referendum.

Also, certain elements in the military would vote “No” in the belief that the current post-coup government would stay in power longer while a new constitution is drafted.

Observers said Prayut had made his position public to counter any post-vote pressure from the red shirts to step down if the draft charter failed in the referendum vote.

The PM yesterday also maintained that no matter what the outcome of the referendum, a general election would take place next year.

“This government does not want to hold on to power. I have said that we must have election in 2017. That is a promise made to the people of the country and the international community,” he said.

However, the PM also said that the country needed to maintain stability for at least five years, adding the goal should be in line with the 20-year national strategic plan drawn up by his government.

The PM said in his national address last night that once the referendum results were clear, regardless of the outcome, the NCPO and the government “will clarify about the course of action to be taken, so that things are kept moving forward smoothly and progress continues to be made.”

“I will make an official announcement to the public through the media at the next opportunity,” he said.

In his national address last night, the PM urged Thais to vote in great numbers tomorrow. “I hope we will have a full turnout for the referendum.”

Suthep Thaugsuban, former Democrat secretary general and chairman of the People’s Democratic Reform Foundation, yesterday reiterated that he would vote for both the draft and the additional question.

“Today, I still maintain that I will vote “Yes” to the draft constitution and the additional question. I want to see Thailand get out of crisis and progress strongly. Bad politicians and politics have hurt the country enough. Let’s dream of a peaceful country together,” Suthep said.

He was speaking in his daily Facebook Live broadcast.

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday urged voters to turn out and “choose what direction the country should take in the future”.

“I want everybody to do their best so that they will not regret the result,” she said.

CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan implied yesterday that Prayut‘s backing would prove beneficial to the draft charter.

“It is a plus, plus, plus, till infinity,” Meechai said while answering a question from a reporter whether the premier’s declaration of support for the draft would be a positive for the CDC.

However, Meechai was not certain if it would have an impact on voters. He said he would have no regrets if the draft were rejected but said he should not be the person to write a new draft.

Gothom Arya, an academic who is part of the Concerned Citizens Group, said that after the PM’s remark yesterday he was convinced members of the five post-coup agencies of power would follow suit by voting “Yes”.

“The prime minister has the right to do so. Everyone has the freedom. But I’m concerned about people who are facing legal action because they disagreed with the draft constitution,” he said.