NATIONAL Press Council of Thailand president Chavarong Limpattamapanee said yesterday that Naew Na newspaper’s resignation from the council would not affect its intention to encourage members to implement self-regulating measures.
He said Naew Na had quit the council as of yesterday, adding that the paper had the right to pull out because the council’s self-regulatory system was voluntary.
Naew Na cited the council’s failure to create its own regulatory system in the 19 years since it was established as a reason for the paper’s withdrawal.
A source from Naew Na said some of its executives were dissatisfied with the role of the council, particularly after an executive faced legal action and the council failed to come to the newspaper’s defence.
Chavarong responded by saying that Naew Na may have a different view from 50 other papers in Bangkok and the provinces, many of which want to promote the council’s self-regulatory ideology as well as encourage liberty and responsibility among members.
He added that the council has amended its charter to establish an ethics committee and upgrade a sub-committee looking into complaints.
The ethics committee is meant to expedite complaint reviews and work proactively to monitor members to ensure they comply with ethics. The rules and regulations on ethics that newspapers must follow are also being updated, Chavarong said.
“It is a pity that Naew Na has quit as it has lost the chance to play a role in the members’ success in realising their goals,” he said.
PM refuses to discuss an alternative charter if ‘no’ vote prevails; open forums set for provinces.
THE PRIME minister yesterday refused to clarify if all stakeholders would be allowed to write a new constitution draft if the current one fails to pass the August 7 referendum.
General Prayut Chan-o-cha said people appeared to be pushing for what they want without contributing to positive changes to the country.
“If the draft constitution does not go through, a new draft will be written,” he said at Government House.
When asked if public participation would be allowed in a new round of drafting, Prayut responded: “Don’t force me to do this or that. I know what should be done. [Critics] seem to force me into everything – election and so on. In conclusion, they just want to gain power, but they won’t correct anything.”
The prime minister was responding to a call from the Platform of Concerned Citizens, a new network of scholars and prominent figures from different fields, including members of major political parties.
In a statement signed by more than 130 people, the group on Wednesday called for a drafting process in which all stakeholders have a say how the new charter should be written.
He said his government would stay in power until a new constitution is in place.
“I will have to make sure there is a new constitution so a new general election can be held,” Prayutsaid.
However, he added that it was not his government’s responsibility if the draft charter written by the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) fails to get majority support in next month’s national vote.
Prayut said he agreed with the call for an open forum for all groups of people to express their opinions in the run-up to the referendum.
“I have assigned the job of holding the forum. It’s my intention. You just wait and see. But it should be done properly, otherwise opposing sides will fight again,” he told reporters.
At a meeting with Army chief General Teerachai Nakwanich at Government House yesterday,Prayut also expressed concern about “malicious” actions being made in the run-up to the referendum, Teerachai said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said yesterday that the Election Commission (EC) and provincial governors have been instructed to hold forums for public debate about the draft charter in all provinces.
Prawit also dismissed as groundless speculation that the referendum might be postponed. “There will be no postponement,” he said.
CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan, in response to the network’s call for an open forum, said yesterday that he believes it is too late to make changes.
“We cannot make any changes to the draft constitution now. It is time for you to decide whether to approve the draft or not. Holding a debate at this time may lead to conflicts and quarrel,” he said.
Meechai said constitution drafters would not take part in a TV debate organised by the EC that would include both supporters and critics of the draft. He added that drafters preferred to explain contentious issues outside such debates.
He added that he was more concerned about what he described as moves to distort the content of the draft charter, such as claims that it would get rid of the universal healthcare system and monthly payments for the elderly. He said welfare benefits would remain intact.
Democrat Party politician Phumsan Seniwong Na Ayutthaya said moves were being made to cause unrest ahead of the referendum next month.
In a related development, more incidents of eligible voters’ lists being damaged or stolen were reported yesterday.
Lists of eligible voters displayed at polling stations in Satun and Khon Kaen provinces were burned, while a list at a polling station in Kanchaburi’s Muang district was stolen. A motorcyclist in his mid-30s was found to have taken it, police said.
However, no severe violations regarding the referendum were reported yesterday. Deputy national police chief Pol General Sriwara Ransibhramanakul said police in all areas have been instructed to monitor the situation closely.
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION July 22, 2016 1:00 am
Hundreds of red-shirt supporters of all ages flood the 5th floor of the Imperial World Lat Phrao department store, where the office of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and its satellite TV station Peace TV are located, to provide moral
Court hearing scheduled for next week as red-shirt leaders protest decision.
THE red-shirt satellite station Peace TV was scheduled to suspend operations last night after the Central Administrative Court failed to grant an injunction order against the broadcasting watchdog’s decision to suspend its licence.
The 30-day suspension was scheduled to go into effect at midnight yesterday.
Earlier yesterday, Peace TV executives petitioned the court to repeal the order by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).
The court could not make a decision because documents submitted to it were incomplete, according to Peace TV’s top executive Jatuporn Prompan, who is also a red-shirt leader.
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A court hearing on the issue will start next week, he said.
Nisit Sinthuprai, a red-shirt leader and Peace TV host, said there was a political reason behind the NBTC order because the referendum was drawing nearer. He added that the station would continue broadcasts on social media on the Internet.
Peace TV has alternative broadcasting channels such as YouTube and Facebook
The petition filed with the Central Administrative Court alleged that the NBTC unlawfully issued the order to suspend the station’s licence despite an earlier court injunction order.
Jatuporn, chairman of the red-shirt United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, which runs Peace TV, and former Pheu Thai MP Weng Tojirakan told the court that the suspension order had caused serious damage to the station’s business.
The order was executed by Pakdi Manawej, deputy secretary-general of the NBTC.
Peace TV has sought Bt6.3-million compensation and annual interest of 7.5 per cent from authorities, who it said had also violated the station’s right to freedom of expression.
The Central Administrative Court was asked to remove the suspension order and allow Thaicom Plc and TC Broadcasting Co to continue providing satellite and related services to Peace TV.
The court hearing, presided over by Judge Suchart Sriworakul, was only attended by representatives from Peace TV.
The National Council for Peace and Order had previously issued an order empowering the NBTC to suspend the licences of mass media operators, which would have no legal recourse under the order.
Jatuporn said the NBTC’s action was unlawful and politically motivated since Peace TV would be blacked out during the August 7 national referendum on the new charter. He said the TV station had presented views against the new charter and urged the public to vote “no”.
In addition, he said, the NBTC had not treated Peace TV as had been agreed or like other TV stations, which would have been given multiple warnings before having their licences suspended or only some programmes would have been banned.
Peace TV was being shut down even though it had acted in accordance with regulations, Jatuporn said.
Red-shirt leader Thida Thavornseth said he hoped the station would get court protection through another injunction order but she feared the suspension would result in complications that could force the station off air even longer.
“For the closure, it is very easy. But after 30 days when we are legally allowed to resume the station, technical complications may arise and it could take weeks or months before the [situation at the] satellite and the cable TV settles,” she said.
The station would also be affected financially as companies are withdrawing commercials, Thida said. But the station would survive and employees would not lose their jobs due to donations from red-shirt supporters, she added.
Hundreds of red-shirt supporters gathered yesterday at Peace TV’s headquarters at the Imperial Lat Phrao department store, most wearing black T-shirts embossed with a message calling for a free and fair referendum process.
SOMBAT THAMRONGTHANYAWONG, VETERAN POLITICAL SCIENTIST AND FORMER CHAIR OF THE NOW-DEFUNCT NATIONAL REFORM COUNCIL’S |POLITICAL REFORM COMMITTEE
My life will be the same. The draft will have no impact on my life, as I’m an academic. As for society, the next coalition government will be ineffective and make no progress in following the national reform plan. Many key problems such as the price of agricultural products, drug abuse and the quality of education will not be resolved. Politics seems to be weak, which means corruption will get worse.
WATANA MUANGSOOK, FORMER PHEU THAI MP AND COMMERCE MINISTER
If it is accepted, politics would change. Under a military constitution, the NCPO [National Council for Peace and Order] will still be in control of the country through various organs including independent organisations and the 250 selected senators, who will hold their seats for five years.
The next government will not be able to run the country efficiently, as the draft stipulates such strict regulations. For instance, there will be no room for an elected government to subsidise farmers or implement market interventions, as it does not offer state assistance like the 2007 Constitution did. The country will not progress.
SATIT WONGNONGTAEY, FORMER DEMOCRAT MP
If the charter passes, I will begin preparing to run in the next election. It will be like school has re-opened after long holidays – three years. I will get to become a representative of the people, and will spend much more time studying people’s problems so I can plan political policies accordingly.
This draft, however, imposes restrict regulation for politicians. But I’m happy to see such regulations and harsh penalties for fraudulent politicians. The draft will not change my life much, as rights and freedom are duly constituted under the charter.
SOMCHAI SEWANAPHON, TEACHER IN THE SOUTH’S PHATTHALUNG PROVINCE
The draft charter will not affect my personal life that much. Overall, this draft will make our country undemocratic in other countries’ eyes. In my view, the dictatorship regime will continue influencing politics.
Attayuth Bootsripoom
The Nation July 21, 2016 1:00 am
pic
With the referendum on August 7 a little over two weeks away, Thailand is fast approaching another crucial juncture in its history. Yet amid daily reports dominated by news of action taken against its critics, we are hearing very little about the actual content of the draft constitution or the ramifications if it passes.
Many voters remain unaware they will also be asked to decide whether they support the proposal to give unelected senators the power to help select the prime minister.
Even now, questions like “What is the referendum about?”, “When is the vote?” and “What issues are we voting on?” are being widely asked.
It seems that many of us still have little understanding of this crucial step for our nation’s future.
Given the fact that authorities are not distributing copies of the draft constitution to every household, the information gap should come as no surprise. Insufficient budget to publish and distribute enough copies, along with the difficulty many citizens would have in digesting the lengthy and technical document, were the reasons given.
Instead, authorities opted to distribute booklets summarising the draft and giving interpretations of its content by the charter writers themselves. As such, no one should expect its negative points to be highlighted.
While it’s true that the draft consists of more than 200 articles and uses legal terms that some might find difficult to understand, these are not good reasons to deny all households a copy. As voters we need full information of a supreme law we will all be living under if it passes the national vote. A full copy of the charter draft would also serve as a reference and invaluable source of debate, enabling citizens to cite accurately certain provisions to back arguments. With easy access to copies of the actual draft, we could also see for ourselves whether its content was being distorted by the junta or other groups.
Authorities have suggested that anyone interested can download an e-copy and print it out. But shouldn’t that be part of their duty as organisers of the referendum? And what of the many people across the country who still have no access to the Internet?
The reality is that without a physical copy, voters are being deprived of their right to join the public debate on contentious issues surrounding the draft. Such debate should be free and open to all, not limited to those with Internet access and savvy. The proposed law would, after all, cover each and every one of us.
When news emerged recently of a fake copy in circulation that featured distorted content, people joked that they had not even see the real one.
Some saw it as a plot to limit public debate on the draft. If that allegation is true, the plot seems to have succeeded.
With no physical copy of the draft constitution easily at hand, voters are unlikely to vote on the basis of its merits or demerits or in response to its actual content. Instead they will vote according to beliefs or emotions based on hearsay, political loyalties and other spurious sources.
Much will depend on how effective the supporters and critics of the draft are in persuading the voters to believe them.
PUANGTHONG PAWAKAPAN, POLITICAL SCIENCE LECTURER, CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY
As a university lecturer, my life will not change that much as the draft seems to support government officials and employees.
However, even if the draft charter makes it through the referendum, conflicts will still exist. Confrontations between the “yay” and “nay” voters could break out and there could be unrest.
They [the junta] would take advantage of the referendum and claim its legitimacy to prolong their tenure.
People would vote to accept the draft, as they don’t understand it. And that could also affect people’s welfare and benefits – a clear reflection of the attitude of those in power.
SUNAI PHASUK, RESEARCHER, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (THAILAND)
The draft does not seem to promote democratic and pro-human-rights culture and practice. I don’t see it representing the interests of the majority either. Most importantly, the transitional clauses in the draft would only prolong abnormality and dictatorship.
TANKHUN JITTITSARA, FORMER DEMOCRAT MP
I think it will change things. There will be three political blocs: Pheu Thai, the Democrats and the military combined with small- and medium-sized parties.
The third bloc will have its supporters – the non-elected 250 senators. Though people will have more choice, they will also have to closely watch these three blocs as well as the politicians. When there are three blocs, if two of the three join hands, the other one will end up being attacked.
THONGMUAN SEEYA, FARMER, PHETCHABUN PROVINCE
I think things will only get better. I hope the next government helps farmers.
The prices of agricultural products would be higher and social welfare would get better.
THE CONSTITUTION Drafting Commission (CDC) has declined to join the Election Commission’s charter debate, saying its role is to explain the constitution to the public, not to argue over it.
CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan said yesterday that he believes people are more interested in content than rhetoric.
He denied that CDC spokesman Amorn Wanitwiwat had agreed to face off with the New Democracy Movement, saying it was a misunderstanding because the commission would not debate with anyone.
Meechai dismissed concern that the CDC’s draft would be rejected in the referendum, saying such reports had started ever since the CDC began working on it.
Ramet Rattanachaweng, deputy spokesman of the Democrat Party, said the debate was happening too late.
“The EC had dismissed the importance of the debate from the beginning because it had followed the instructions from the National Council for Peace and Order and the CDC too much,” he said.
The EC should focus on disseminating charter booklets to as many people as possible and also on increasing broadcasting and social media channels.
“The EC has been weak in its PR campaigns on these platforms including providing a stage for people with varying views.
“And the distribution of the charter content is poor,” he said.
PIMNARA PRADUBWIT,
KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE NATION July 21, 2016 1:00 am
Abhisit
Abhisit wants govt to reveal the next course of action draft is rejected.
SEVERAL prominent political and social figures, including Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajivayesterday endorsed a civil-society statement calling for freedom of expression on the draft charter.
He also called for the revealing of steps to be taken if the charter does not pass the referendum.
The Democrats’ official stance will come later this month after Abhisit returns from abroad, the party’s deputy leader Sathit Pitutecha said yesterday.
Abhisit took part in signing the statement, which was released yesterday by the Platform of Concerned Citizens (PCC), a new network of scholars and prominent figures of various fields, including politicians.
Abhisit said he hoped the declaration would benefit the referendum process, and maybe the powers-that-be could improve the atmosphere of suppression, he said.
The surrounding environment could be one thing the people consider before deciding whether or not to accept the constitution draft, the Democrat politician said.
The statement was issued by the PCC around two months after an earlier one viewed the referendum law as a strict regulation against freedom of expression.
Buntoon Srethasirote, a key member of the group, told The Nation that although the government seemed to loosen its grip on freedom of expression by allowing some debates, there were still other points – including future options – that had not yet been made clear enough to shape the people’s decisions. The PCC’s statement called for all sides to take a stance on the charter referendum process, jointly calling for it to be conducted freely and fairly.
It laid out five requests for those in authority. First, the network called for the rights of the people to be respected, and that they should be able to engage constructively in inclusive debates with accurate, comprehensive, and thorough information on the draft constitution.
Second, there should be a clearly defined choice offered to the people before the August 7 referendum, providing options in terms of a process for what happens if the draft is rejected.
Third, if the charter draft fails to pass the referendum, there should be a commitment to drafting a new constitution inclusively.
Fourth, if these three proposals have been adopted, all sides shall respect the result of the referendum, and jointly ensure peace and stability in society.
Last, Thailand’s future constitution must safeguard the dignity of human beings and the rights of the people to no less a degree than that addressed in past constitutions – ensuring fair checks and balances of the use of sovereign power, supporting measurable reforms and decentralisation. There should also be measures to prevent corruption and conflict from escalating into violence, as well as sections that allow flexibility and timely amendment of the constitution in accordance with the changes to society and the law.
Besides Abhisit’s endorsement, the statement has been signed by more than 130 prominent figures and civil organisations. Other prominent politicians included Pheu Thai’s Chaturon Chaisang,Sudarat Keyuraphan and Watana Muangsook as well as Chart Thai Pattana’s Somsak Prisananantakul and Nikorn Chamnong.
Sathit said he had signed the statement, adding that the public should be allowed to participate in the process.
Currently, many people do not give importance to the vote because the tight restrictions have made them feel they cannot do anything, leaving the referendum distant from them, he added.
A DISTRICT police chief in Kamphaeng Phet has been transferred following the destruction of eligible voter lists for the August 7 charter referendum in the province, a source said yesterday.
Pol Colonel Ithi Chamnanmor, superintendent of Khanu Woralaksaburi Police Station has been transferred to work at Police Region 6.
Pol Colonel Suthat Monsawat, Kamphaeng Phet provincial deputy chief, has been moved in as caretaker superintendent in his place.
The source said Ithi was transferred because of an alleged delay in reporting to superiors and the destruction of the documents that are state property under his watch.
Police investigation into the incident found that two eight-year-old girls tore up the papers without knowing the significance of the papers. They were released without being charged.
The voter lists were destroyed at 11am on Saturday during a monk-ordination ceremony at Hong Thong Temple, near Wachirasarn Suksa School in Khanu Woralaksaburi district, where the polling station for the upcoming charter referendum is located.
A number of people were seen at the polling station, including some intoxicated adults. The girls, who lived not far away, normally came to the school every day to play with other children.
Following the destruction of the papers, concerned officials met and discussed the case on Sunday. Kamphaeng Phet provincial chief Pol Maj-General Damrong Petpong took over the investigation and police wrapped it up on Monday.
Ithi reported the destruction to his superiors on Sunday evening, which was considered a delay. He had been required to immediately report to the Region 6 Police and the Royal Thai Police.
Those close to Ithi said he was ready to accept the transfer as ordered.
Reports of the destruction of voter lists have prompted the Interior Ministry to give the green light to local administrators and provincial “order maintenance” centres nationwide to intensify monitoring to ensure stability and to apply tough legal measures against provocateurs, while reporting such incidents to the ministry.
National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is ready to support the Election Commission in holding debates on charter draft, NCPO spokesman Col Piyapong Klinpan said yesterday.
He said the council was ready to support the EC in any activity and platform that was not in breach of the law.
“We are ready to [give our] support if the EC wants to relax restrictions by allowing talks between people with varying views through a good atmosphere. We will not stop the commission – but the debate has to be within the frame of law,” he said.
He said that there was only about two weeks before a public referendum was to be held – but state intelligence had not picked up any unusual political movement that would bring about disturbances.
Piyapong said the destruction of the eligible voter lists in Kamphaeng Phet was not the work of people with political motivation but two eight-year-old girls who did not know the significance of the documents.
They were released without being charged since they were young and had no intention of causing trouble.
