Category Archives: politics

Republican Party nominates Donald Trump for US president

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ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Republican-Party-nominates-Donald-Trump-for-US-pre-30290984.html

July 20, 2016 10:17 am
Delegates hold signs that read 'Trump Digs Coal' on the second day of the Republican National Convention on Tuesday at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio./Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

Delegates hold signs that read ‘Trump Digs Coal’ on the second day of the Republican National Convention on Tuesday at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio./Joe Raedle/Getty Images/AFP

CLEVELAND – Republicans formally chose Donald Trump as the party’s presidential nominee Tuesday, a landmark moment in American politics and a stunning victory for a man whose White House ambitions were once openly mocked.

After a roller-coaster campaign that saw Trump defeat 16 rivals and steamroller stubborn party opposition, the tycoon said it was time to “go all the way” and beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in November.

“This is a movement,” he told the delegates via video link.

On the convention floor, states from Alabama to West Virginia took it in turns to pledge their delegates.

It turned to Trump’s home state of New York, represented by a coterie of Trump’s adult children, to hand him the majority-plus-one needed to clinch the nomination.

“It’s my honor to be able to throw Donald Trump over the top in the delegation count tonight,” Donald Trump Jr said to cheers and applause.

When the bombastic mogul came down the escalators of Trump Towers in New York 13 months ago to announce his candidacy, few experts gave him even the faintest chance.

His campaign has defied political norms — embracing racially inflammatory policies, offending key voting blocks, eschewing big-spending advertising campaigns and relying on saturated media coverage above campaign structure.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s surreal. I’m so proud of my father,” said Trump’s eldest daughter and businesswoman Ivanka Trump, often described as his secret weapon.

“He’s the ultimate outsider and he did it. We are so proud of him.”

Closing ranks

Trump became the presumptive nominee nearly two months ago. But relentless controversy over his campaign rhetoric and a simmering movement by anti-Trump delegates to deny him the nomination made it less than a foregone conclusion.

Around the convention floor, Trump’s victory was far from universally welcomed.

Many delegates clapped politely after his victory, a few angrily walked out or voiced their unease.

Several states refused to honor party convention and pledge their delegates to a frontrunner who was by then unopposed.

“I’m disappointed’ said Utah Senator Mike Lee. “But it is what it is.”

Washington delegate Teri Galvez said baldly: “We do not support Donald Trump.”

The main enemy

But as the last vestiges of Republican resistance were quashed, there fresh signs that the party establishment had thrown its lot in with Trump in a bid to beat Clinton.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie led delegates in declaring Clinton “guilty” and encouraged visceral chants of “lock her up.”

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan declared “the Obama years are almost over. The Clinton years are way over. Two-thousand sixteen is the year America moves on.”

The Trump campaign will hope that distain for Clinton will unite the party and make a series of missteps irrelevant.

“The party is unified, we’re all here, I will bet you, if you polled this place, there is not one vote for Hillary Clinton in this building,” key Trump lieutenant Corey Lewandowski told AFP.

“People are ready for a fundamental and unequivocal change in Washington and the person who is going to bring that is Donald Trump.”

Before Trump emerged victorious, it had been a brutal week for the candidate.

His glamorous wife Melania Trump brought some pizzazz to the proceedings on the opening night.

But an embarrassing plagiarism scandal tarnished her prime-time speech — and brought her husband’s presidential campaign under withering scrutiny.

While the controversy burned and social media erupted with mocking commentary, the Trump team appeared in chaos — with denials of wrongdoing, followed by tacit admissions, followed by attempts to insulate Melania.

Earlier delegates exchanged jeers and heckles as anti-Trump forces tried in vain to thwart his nomination.

Clinton wasted no time seeking to capitalize on Trump’s party victory.

“Donald Trump just became the Republican nominee. Chip in now to make sure he never steps foot in the Oval Office,” she said in a fundraising tweet.

– AFP

Your charter, your say

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Your-charter-your-say-30290936.html

REFERENDUM SPECIAL

The nation July 20, 2016 1:00 am
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Sombat Boonngamanong, pro-democracy activist

If the draft is approved, I think my life will be the same as it is now, as the next government will be just like the junta right now.

Arnont Nampa, lawyer at the Thai Lawyers for Human Rights Centre

My life will remain the same – living under a dictatorship. If the referendum result is a “yes”, then the current powers-that-be will continue running the country.

Sukhum Nuansakul, political analyst and former rector of Ramkhamhaeng University

A constitution just provides rules for the country. Hence, I don’t think it will greatly affect daily life. However, I fear that after a “yes” result, we will see the public making efforts to have this draft amended.

Poldej Pinprateep, former member of the now-defunct National Reform Council

Nothing will change, because [as state adviser] is not about vying for power or political gains. The constitution-to-be does not affect me. My job is to strengthen communities and encourage inclusive public administration. I don’t see how the new charter will block my duties.

Police find two 8-year-old girls destroyed voter lists

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Police-find-two-8-year-old-girls-destroyed-voter-l-30290939.html

REFERENDUM

THE NATION July 20, 2016 1:00 am
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No charges against youngsters’ who did not understand significance of documents.

THE destruction of eligible voter lists in Kamphaeng Phet was caused by two eight-year-old girls who did not understand the importance of the documents they were playing with, police said yesterday.

Pol Maj-General Damrong Petpong, chief of Kamphaeng Phet provincial police, said the voter lists were destroyed on Saturday during a monk-ordination ceremony at Hong Thong temple, which is 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 and children.

Earlier reports had suggested that hooligan teenagers were responsible for destruction of the voter rolls.

The police investigation into the incident found that the two girls, who lived not far away, normally came to the school every day to play with other children.

On Saturday, the eight-year-olds and other children came to play near the board on which the voter lists were attached.

The two girls tore the lists from the board without knowing they were state assets.

Police say they questioned the two girls and their parents in a relaxed way. The girls were released without being charged for the destruction of state property.

Damrong said the children were young and had no intention to commit a crime. He would forward evidence including footage from surveillance cameras to his superiors.

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.

Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd responded yesterday to reports about destruction of the voter rolls by saying Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had instructed provincial centres nationwide to step up measures to prevent offences committed particularly ahead of the referendum.

Officials have also been instructed to watch for the dissemination of false information regarding next month’s referendum and the draft constitution.

Sansern also denied social media comments, alleging that if voters enter their 13-digit ID numbers on the Department of Provincial Administration (DPA)’s website http://www.khonthai.com, their personal details could be accessed by criminals.

“It is not true, because the ID number will go into an automatic information process that will show whether they have voting rights in the referendum,” he said.

Sansern said the DPA already had every citizen’s basic personal information because everyone has to apply for national ID cards.

“Thais do not need to worry about privacy violations. When they seek state services through electronic systems, they also have to fill in their ID numbers, so this is not dangerous at all,” he said.

Critics set conditions to join TV charter debate

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ศาสตร์เกษตรดินปุ๋ย : ขอบคุณแหล่งข้อมูล : หนังสือพิมพ์ The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Critics-set-conditions-to-join-TV-charter-debate-30290947.html

CHARTER REFERENDUM

KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN,
OLARN LERTRATTANADAMRONGKUL
THE NATION July 20, 2016 1:00 am
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New democracy group keen for public to pick topics, while iLaw join ‘if allocates equal time issues of interest’.

CRITICS of the draft constitution have conditionally agreed to take part in a televised debate to be organised by the Election Commission (EC).

The agreement is contingent on public participation in choosing the topics of debate and a fair allocation of time for both sides.

Some critics also want the debate to be aired during prime time.

The anti-charter New Democracy Movement (NDM) suggested yesterday that members of the public should pick the topics of the debate.

Meanwhile, the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) group said it was not sure on whether to take part, but may join if the topics of the planned debate are relevant to its field of expertise and if group representatives are given equal time to speak.

The responses came after EC member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said on Monday that a new television programme would be aired on Thai PBS the week before the August 7 referendum for supporters and critics of the draft charter to exchange views.

Somchai said anti-charter groups including NDM and iLaw would be invited to debate in the programme after heavy criticism was levelled that charter critics have not been given equal opportunity as charter proponents to express their viewpoints.

A non-profit organisation, iLaw has been calling on the EC to allow free campaigning and public participation in the run-up to the vote.

Key NDM member Rangsiman Rome said yesterday: “Yes, we’ll definitely accept the invitation [to debate the constitution]. All this time, we have always called for opportunities like this. There is no reason for us not to join the show.”

However, the activist said he was worried that the referendum was fast approaching and wanted the EC to speed up its work. “There is not much time left,” he said.

‘Show should air on all channels’

Rangsiman also said the show should allow public participation by letting ordinary people select topics for debate.

“It isn’t difficult and doesn’t take much time. We can have people vote for the topics they are interested in via Facebook. After all, we are doing this for them, right? So, they should be able to choose what information they want to know,” the activist said.

Yingcheep Atchanont, project manager of iLaw, said yesterday the group was not exactly “anti-charter” and he was not sure whether participation would be appropriate in the debate.

“The role of iLaw is not to move against the charter or anything. We just support and promote public participation and freedom of expression, making sure people have a voice to express their concerns,” he said.

Yingcheep did not completely rule out participating but set conditions for iLaw joining the event.

“We’ll have to see whether the topics relate to our work, such as rights and freedom or participation. If yes, we might do it. Also, we’ll have to be sure that we will be able to speak as much as our opposition,” he said.

The iLaw group and its allies have raised similar concerns to NDM – that anti-charter groups have not received the same opportunities to speak in EC-sponsored TV programmes on the charter that currently air every Monday and Wednesday.

Although charter critics have been allowed to take part in the programmes, they have complained that they have had less time than charter proponents to voice their opinions.

Pheu Thai politician Noppadon Patama, a former foreign minister, said the TV debate was a good start for protecting people’s right to information.

Many Pheu Thai politicians have spoken out against the charter draft and said they would vote against it.

However, Noppadon suggested that instead of airing the debate on only one channel from 1pm to 2pm, the show should be broadcast simultaneously on all channels during primetime from 6pm to 9pm. Otherwise, he feared the debate would not have much of an audience.

Somkid stirs reluctant Korean giant into investing more here

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Somkid-stirs-reluctant-Korean-giant-into-investing-30290949.html

BURNING ISSUE

Nophakhun Limsamarnphun
The Nation

July 20, 2016 1:00 am

South Korea, the world’s 11th largest economy, is a global economic powerhouse, but its foreign direct investment (FDI) in Thailand is small compared to Korean investment in other countries.

The latest figures show that Korean FDIs here are only one-tenth and one-fourth of Korean FDIs in Vietnam and Malaysia.

At issue is Thailand’s inability to attract more Korean firms to invest here. This was recognised by Deputy Premier Dr Somkid Jatusripitak, who recently led a delegation to Korea to learn first hand the various problems hindering Korean FDIs in the country.

As Asia’s fourth largest economy and a member of the G-20 grouping of major economies, Korea plays a key role in the global economy. It’s also the world’s sixth largest exporter with shipments worth $526 billion in 2015.

In a bid to diversify Thailand’s foreign investor base, it’s necessary to step up efforts to woo more Korean firms to put their long-term money here.

According to Noh Kwang-il, the Republic of Korea’s ambassador, Korean firms in the 1990s viewed Thailand as a vast market – but most of the business sectors were already dominated by Japanese companies.

If a Korean firm invested, say, $100 million here, the return might be small – so most Korean firms have been looking at other alternative host countries.

Vietnam was seen as more attractive, especially after the country opened up its economy following the adoption of Doi Moi or economic reform policy. In addition, Japanese competitors were cautious about Vietnam back then due to its communist regime – but big Korean firms such as Daewoo and Posco took risks and went ahead with their projects.

Other Korean firms followed suit and reaped higher returns on their investments. Today, Korea is Vietnam’s largest foreign investor.

Besides Vietnam, Indonesia is another choice for Korean investors – seen as more attractive than Thailand due to Indonesia’s much bigger population of over 250 million and its economy being the largest among the 10-country Asean Economic Community.

During his official visit to South Korea, Somkid expressed concern at Thailand’s performance in the eyes of Korean investors. As a host country, he offered Korean firms several investment opportunities for infrastructure projects, including for water and flood prevention management, as well as railway construction.

K-water of Korea, for example, was given hope for the revival of its water management project in Thailand awarded by the previous government but suspended following the 2014 coup. However, there has been no progress on project revival so far.

Meantime, Korean firms were also asked to study the feasibility of an upper East-West economic corridor railway link to connect Thailand with Myanmar and Laos.

In other words, Somkid believed, major Korean firms needed a big boost from the Thai government to kick-start mega-projects and play a bigger role in the economy and FDI scene so that smaller firms could follow suit.

The deputy premier also needed to convince Agriculture Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya to give a hand on the water management project. It was felt the general might not be comfortable with the previous government’s approved project.

Regarding the East-West railway linkage, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith may turn to Korea for this feasibility study after China and Japan have already been invited to study and invest in high-speed trains on other routes.

Charter content lost in a vicious cycle

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Charter-content-lost-in-a-vicious-cycle-30290890.html

BURINING ISSUE

Kasamakorn Chanwanpen
The Nation
July 19, 2016 1:00 am

With 20 days to go before we vote, all we are hearing is that Article 61 of the Referendum Act forbids dissemination of “false”, “rude”, “inciting”, or “intimidating” messages about the constitution draft and the referendum. The storm over the vote has almost completely drowned out what we are about to vote on

Ever since the special law to regulate the August national referendum came into effect, it’s been a bigger deal than the constitution draft.

Media coverage has focused tightly on the do’s and don’ts of the referendum campaign, analysing whether this or that document or action is legal or illegal according to the Act, and whether some might be charged with violating it and how.

Likewise, political players are now engaged in a vigorous debate over freedom of expression, free and fair campaigning, and whether these two principles are desirable or permitted.

News reports prompt a daily cycle in which pro-democracy groups first call for open discussion of the draft in order that voters can make a knowledgeable decision. The next day authorities will announce that campaigning is allowed but warn activists not to cross the line by distorting the charter or stirring up unrest.

Then someone gets arrested. Pro-democracy activists will come out again to voice the importance of freedom of expression in the run-up to the vote, demand the withdrawal of charges, and call for free and fair campaigning and/or the nullification of Article 61.

And the same authorities will reiterate that campaigns are absolutely not prohibited by law, but that the activists have been charged for violating the junta’s ban on political gatherings. They will also announce that spreading false information misleads voters and endangers the referendum. And some documents circulating on and offline will be banned.

And repeat.

That picture is likely to continue until the day of the vote, judging from the launch of a new anti-charter document last weekend and the reaction.

Nobody seems to care anymore how a document criticises the charter. All everyone wants to know is how the authorities will react, whether it violates the referendum law, whether someone will be put in jail, and maybe what the international community is going to say.

Twenty days before we go to the ballot, more than three quarters of 1,233 respondents of a Suan Dusit Poll conducted nationwide said that information on referendum matters should be disseminated more widely while almost 65 per cent said “most people do not understand the constitution”.

Twenty days until referendum day, everyone agrees that voters need more information about the proposed supreme law before casting a ballot. But all that’s making headlines is the referendum law, with authorities spending time and energy explaining it and activists fighting against it.

chanwanpen92@gmail.com

TV show to include charter critics

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/TV-show-to-include-charter-critics-30290895.html

POLITICS

July 19, 2016 1:00 am

CRITICS will be allowed to appear on a new TV show about the charter draft, Election Commissioner (EC) Somchai Srisuthiyakorn said yesterday.

Somchai said the Thai PBS television station would help produce and broadcast the programme on the charter draft. It will be aired during the last week before a referendum on the draft, from July 25 to August 5, between 1pm to 2pm.

The EC will be responsible for determining the content to be broadcast in the 10 episodes of the show, focusing on clarifying “mistakes” that people have made about the draft, such as state welfare matters like the healthcare scheme and free education, plus political issues, such as the “origin” of the prime minister.

“Academics from the Internet Dialogue Law Reform (iLaw) as well as New Democracy Movement (NDM) will appear in the programme in at least four episodes,” Somchai said, referring to pro-democracy civil society and activist groups.

Six other episodes will feature charter drafters and representatives of other civil society groups, he said. He wanted the show to be informative, not a stage where rivals try to win over the other. He would try to prevent images of one group bashing another, so the show would be taped – not live, Somchai said.

The EC will also publish content of the constitution draft in eight Thai-language newspapers to ensure it reaches the public. State funding provided for this was Bt10 million, the EC’s deputy secretary general Thanit Sriprathet said.

Nipit Intrasombat, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, feared the show would be “a little too late”. If he was invited, he would refuse, but he didn’t want to discourage the EC.

Noppadol Patama, a Pheu Thai Party member, said there should be a show for people with different views to debate the draft. Both sides should be given equal time to express their stance to inform the people, the former minister said, adding that the platform should not be for rivals to argue rhetorically “just to win”.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam refused yesterday to give a clear timeframe of what would happen if the charter draft does not pass the referendum and a new one is needed, leaving the country’s political future under a cloud.

He insisted the “road map” to democracy will still be followed regardless of the result, but declined to give an exact date when the road map ends. He just said the Interim Constitution would remain in effect until next year.

“How long the new charter takes to draft will depend on how many people are involved. If there are not many drafters, it will not be long. If many people [are involved], it will take longer to reach a conclusion,” Wissanu said. “I don’t want it [the constitution and the road map] to be bound by date and time – or it will make news. It cannot be determined exactly because it depends on many factors.”

Your charter, your say

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Your-charter-your-say-30290897.html

REFERENDUM SPECIAL

July 19, 2016 1:00 am

WENG TOJIRAKARN, CO-LEADER OF THE UNITED FRONT FOR DEMOCRACY AGAINST DICTATORSHIP

If the charter is accepted, I would be disappointed because we would have the highest law that is not democratic.

ARTHIT SURIYAWONKUL, CO-FOUNDER AND COMMITTEE SECRETARY OF THE FOUNDATION FOR INTERNET AND CIVIC CULTURE, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE THAI NETIZEN NETWORK

I feel the draft sounds like access to new technology resources like the Internet would depend on the state’s consideration, not the people’s rights. Under the new charter, I think people would have poorer access to resources such as the Internet, and would be responsible for higher costs of consuming the Internet and TV.

THAVORN SENNEAM, FORMER DEMOCRAT MP

Nothing changes. I would continue my duty as a politician. The role of politicians is to listen to the people’s plights, checking the government’s administration, and so on. This anti-graft charter also addresses national reform plans which are good for the country.

EKKACHAI SRIVILAS, DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF PEACE AND GOVERNANCE AT KING PRAJADHIPOK’S INSTITUTE

I think the draft would not totally change my personal life. My work is to promote peace in society and many people have been asking me when the next election will be held. I would be relieved if the draft is passed, as such a referendum result would help ensure that a general election happens. Nevertheless, this draft cannot resolve the existing conflicts.

Prominent voices weigh in on draft

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prominent-voices-weigh-in-on-draft-30290840.html

COUNTDOWN TO THE REFERENDUM

JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG
WASAMON AUDJARINT
The Nation July 18, 2016 1:00 am
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As the supreme law, a constitution rules and links everyone and every organ of a nation together. The new charter, the country’s 20th, would be no different if it were accepted at the August 7 referendum. Amid a highly charged atmosphere and a transitional period for the nation, the new charter has been written at a particularly challenging time. And time will tell if it will set a new course for relationships and roles in a way most people accept. The Nation’s Juthathip Lucksanawong and Wasamon Audjarint asked 12 prominent voices whether they believed the charter would affect them.

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also heads the National Council for Peace and Order

It [my personal life] would not change. No matter what day it is, it wouldn’t change me. I have been this sort of a person since I was an Army leader. I am happy being with my family – just that and not being bothered with interfering in other people’s lives and business.

I would prepare myself to exercise my voting right in the next general election. I would not go into the monkhood. I have been ordained many times.

Chaturon Chaisang, Pheu Thai key figure and a former education minister

“My role as a politician would be limited and dramatically lessened in the coming years. I would follow up on political situations closely and try to contribute politically to some extent to the country.

“I would be able to contribute to the country in the utmost when our society learns and develops to be a democratic society. I think not until the country faces great difficulties will it be democratic. However, I’m not sure whether we will reach that point [a democratic society] because we would have to be under “a dictatorship regime” for years if the draft passed.

Nipit Intrasombat, Democrat Party deputy leader

As a politician, I feel freedom and democracy would be derogated if this draft passed. I could do little as a representative of the people.

Under this draft, politicians could end up submitting fewer proposals to Parliament. Some projects involving budgets such as digging water-distribution canals, though they are urgent and meaningful to local people, would not be proposed because the politicians would not want to be suspected of attempting to get involved with the budget and corruption.

Also, some proposals could be rejected if they are not in line with national strategies and reform plans.

I feel the value and pride of being the people’s representative would be downgraded. The relationship between local people and politicians would be more distant. The people used to reveal their problems to their representatives and their problems were then fixed. However, under the new course, even though people would still come to tell me their problems, I would not be able to get their problems fixed immediately.

Jon Ungpakorn, a former senator and the director of the Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw)

I think I may have to live in an undemocratic country if the draft passed the referendum. The next government would not be different from the current one. We would see the next government listen to the people less. It would also allow an outsider to be a prime minister.

This draft would not be approved by all Thais. People have not been well informed before making a decision to vote yes or no. The charter, I think, would limit people’s freedom and right to assembly. I think I may have to continue fighting for democracy and liberty.

Rangsiman Rome, a key member of the anti-coup group New Democracy Movement

My representative I would select would not have any say in the next government. The next prime minister could be someone the people don’t want. If it [the charter] was passed, I think we could see an uprising. The country’s problems would not have been resolved.

Sansern Kaewkamnerd, Government Spokesman

It [my life] won’t be changed. I was born to be a military man and will carry on my duty as usual. I have done nothing illegal so the draft would not have an impact on me. The constitution is just part of the country’s administration.

Winthai Suvaree, National Council for Peace and Order spokesman

Personally, my life would not be changed. However, the draft directly would benefit the society. With the strict regulation and anti-fraud mechanisms, I think the country would see responsible and respectable politicians. When the administrators are responsible, the country as a whole would be developed.”

Amorn Wanichwiwata-na, Constitution Drafting Commission spokesperson

“If it is approved, I would be proud as I am part of the drafters. I am proud because the draft, in our opinion, is the best version and it is suitable for the country. It is my honour to contribute to such a valuable work for society.

Jatuporn Prompan, United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship [UDD] leader

Just the same, nothing changes.

If it gets approved, it means my anti-draft campaign would have failed. And I would not be a candidate for the next MP election. My stance would not change and I would continue being the leader of the UDD to fight against dictatorship.

Suriyasai Katasila, a former yellow-shirt activist and deputy rector of Rangsit University’s College of Social Innovation

It would not change my life. It would just lead me to further study clauses and the new election method enshrined in the draft.

The draft would change the political structure, but not our society as conflict still persists. I won’t judge whether the new charter is good or bad. It is so-so. Our social context is more complicated than the past. We, however, don’t see the reconciliation road map addressed in the draft.

The conflict between the two political blocs has lasted for more than 10 years. Sadly, this draft has several good points such as regulations and mechanisms to combat graft, but I can’t see the draft solving the conflict.

Akanat Promphan, former spokesperson of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee and former Democrat MP

The constitution does not affect me as one of the PDRC leaders. We, the PDRC, called for the country’s reform and this draft fulfils our request.

It stipulates a strict regulation that could help prevent parliamentary dictatorships [occurring] and powers-that-be who are fraudulent. I think the draft would help the national reform to progress and give us hope.

Sirawith Seritiwat, an anti-coup student activist from the group Resistant Citizen

In a short term, nothing will change. If the draft is accepted, in my opinion, the NCPO will prolong its tenure for another year until a general election is organised. We would revise our anti-dictatorship campaign activities. We would pressure the next government to amend this constitution.

Draft critics stand firm as NCPO orders crackdown

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Draft-critics-stand-firm-as-NCPO-orders-crackdown-30290843.html

THE NATION July 18, 2016 1:00 am

WITH THE August referendum around the corner, the government has strengthened measures against what it deems as provocative actions against the poll and the charter draft.

Meanwhile, defiant activists as well as civil society figures and politicians continued to voice their concerns over tough measures to mute criticism.

The Interior Ministry yesterday gave the green light to local administrators nationwide to intensify measures against the dissemination of “false” information regarding the referendum and the draft.

The ministry also ordered its provincial “order maintaining” centres to hold weekly monitoring sessions regarding the “peace situation”, immediately apply tough legal measures against provocateurs and report to the ministry.

The order also commanded local governors to use all available means of communication to explain to people about bans on attempted provocation.

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“Do not worry that people will be alarmed by our informed facts,” the ministry order said. “Because they will show which side wants to stay in order to continue solving the country’s problems and which side wants to create tensions and does not want to solve the problems.”

The order came after the circulation of a report accusing the ministry’s provincial administration department of potentially compromising people’s personal data in a system in which people can type in their identification numbers in its database at http://www.khonthai.com to check their voting eligibility for the referendum.

While confirming that people can check their eligibility on the website, Ministry permanent secretary Kritsada Boonrat insisted in the order that they were not trying to lure people into surrendering their personal data.

The order also followed Saturday’s report regarding the destruction of registration papers belonging to eligible voters in Kamphaeng Phet’s district of Khanu Woralaksaburi.

According to local superintendent Pol Colonel Itthi Chamnanmor, an unknown person tore up the registration papers that were left unattended at a prospective polling station. Police are still investigating the incident and have not concluded whether there may have been a political motive.

Meanwhile, the New Democracy Movement (NDM) said it would continue to distribute charter draft booklets, which were banned by the Election Commission and charter drafters on the grounds that they illegally “distorted” the charter content.

NDM leader Rangsiman Rome said the EC had failed to provide reasons for their ban of the booklet, and had not allowed NDM members to explain their point of view.

NDM member Worawut Butmart said the group had also published a new charter booklet spelling out seven reasons why the charter draft should be rejected.

First, the booklet said, Article 52 of the draft gives the military overwhelming power by giving it a role in developing the country. Second, Clause 2 of Article 279 legitimised every action carried out by the junta regardless of possible human rights violations.

Third, the coup-makers would also have influence in appointing the Constitutional Court judges and key figures in independent agencies, which will be selected by the junta-appointed Senate.

Fourth, the charter could not be amended without military approval because one-third of the Senate must approve amendments.

Fifth, the draft allows the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to continue in power until the new government is appointed, while the prime minister could continue to resort to utilising the broad powers of Article 44.

Sixth, Article 65 stipulates that the national strategic committee, appointed by the current junta government, would have the authority to make suggestions and issue warnings to future elected governments in line with junta-designated strategic plans.

Finally, the draft would create a “military party” in Parliament because there would be 500 MPs and 250 junta-appointed senators, meaning the military would have the power to legislate and screen laws.

Meanwhile, representatives from civil society and political parties yesterday said the NCPO should lift legal restrictions to allow extensive discussions about the charter draft before the vote.

Gathering at Thairath TV studios, the gathering included Pheu Thai representative Chaturon Chaisang, Democrat Thana Cheeravinij, former red-shirt chairwoman Thida Thavornseth, peace academic Kotom Areeya and former rights commissioner Sunee Chairos.