Category Archives: politics

If draft fails, there’ll be an election

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BURNING ISSUE

JINTANA PANYAARVUDH
jintana@nationgroup.com February 16, 2016 1:00 am

IF WE BELIEVE in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and his government, Thailand’s democracy will resume when voters enter the polling booths to cast their ballots next year.

The most talked about topic in Thai politics currently is whether Meechai Ruchupan’s charter draft will pass a national referendum scheduled to be held in July.

Obviously, Meechai’s draft is facing more opposition rather than receiving praise.

Many opposition sides, ranging from red shirt leaders to anti-coup student activists and civic groups who are concerned about the draft’s failure to clearly address the rights of communities, civic concerns, consumers and the disabled.

In a move that could deepen the country’s political impasse, some of these critics – including the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship chairman Jatuporn Promphan and Pheu Thai executive Chaturon Chaisang – have clearly declared they will vote down the draft. Some groups have vowed to campaign against the draft charter if Meechai fails to improve his version and meet their demands.

The resistance has led to concerns about political uncertainty because people fear that if the draft fails to pass the referendum, we would still be under a military-installed government – and for how long is the more important question.

Political observers are now divided.

One group believes the draft will pass the plebiscite as the junta should be able to successfully prevent any move trying to shoot down the charter. Based on in-depth government information from PM’s Office Minister and ex-national intelligence chief Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana, the junta should be able to ensure he knows every anti-charter and anti-coup movement and be able to stop them.

This camp thinks the longer the junta stays in power, the more pressure it will face both from domestic and international communities. Hence, the junta will do everything it can to get the charter passed. Moreover, the denial of the draft would surely imply politically that voters were against the junta, which appointed the charter drafters.

On the contrary, the other camp thinks the draft will not be able to pass if Meechai does not change some contentious points the opposition sides have asked for.

But whether the draft is passed or not should not be the vital question right now, because the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief already has in mind a charter for holding the next election.

A more interesting question is which charter the junta would select to hold the election.

Late last month, Prayut said there would still be an election by July 2017 in line with the junta government’s “6-4-6-4 roadmap” even if the draft charter is rejected in a referendum.

“Some of the charter would be used [to conduct a general election] if the new draft is rejected,” the premier said. He added that such a charter would contain only one to three articles about how the election would be held, human rights and democracy.

However, anti-coup groups have demanded the junta use the now torn-up 1997 charter if the Meechai draft is turned down by the referendum.

But it’s unlikely that the junta would accept the demand. By doing so, it would mean the coup in May 2014 was a waste. They staged the coup to curb the Shinawatras’ influence in politics as much as they could.

Hence, the tentative two options – if the draft is rejected :

First, the junta writes a new draft, which would take a shorter time than setting up a new drafting committee, considering that the junta may not want to stay longer in power than the road map says due to community pressure.

Second option: revise or adjust previous charters or Meechai’s draft, or even the interim charter 2014.

That then leads to the most important question. How will the political environment be, post the 2017 election?

If the election is held next year as the junta plans, it’s still likely the Thaksin camp would win again. So, any charter draft to be used to hold the election needs to have measures to prevent them from winning or forming a new government. If the junta fails to do that, it must be prepared with other measures to prevent it.

Political observers suggest we keep our eyes on any provisional clauses allowing the junta to retain power, no matter by what means, to ensure the coup wasn’t a waste and will at least retain its power during the transitional period.

Poll shows majority don’t know enough about charter draft

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NEW CONSTITUTION

The Nation February 15, 2016 1:00 am

Most people surveyed by a Suan Dusit poll say they do not yet have enough knowledge about the charter draft to make a decision in a public referendum, according to results released yesterday.

The survey entitled “People and the Public Referendum” was conducted from February 7-13 with 1,522 respondents across the country.

Of the total, 69 per cent said they did not know enough about the draft while 30 per cent said they did.

Asked what they would like to know about the charter draft, 81 per cent said they wanted to know the differences between the old and the new charters; 76 per cent said they wanted to know about people’s rights and freedom; 68 per cent said they wanted to know about MPs, senators and PM selection methods; 59 per cent were keen to know about anti-corruption measures; while about 55 per cent said they wanted to know about the charter drafting process.

Asked what should be done to ensure the success of the referendum, about 80 per cent asked for public relations campaigns; 74 per cent said the pros and cons of the referendum should be pointed out; 72 per cent said a sense of belonging must be created among Thais about the charter; 66 per cent called for a halt to misleading and distorted information; while 54 per cent believed a transparent and strong team was the key to success.

Asked about their general opinion about the charter draft, 73 per cent responded there were both pro and anti charter groups; 71 per cent suggested that surveys be conducted to seek public advice and implement recommendations from the public; 69 per cent wanted the charter to be clear and suitable for the country; 65 per cent questioned whether the charter could defuse conflicts and would be accepted or rejected by the public; and 64.91 per cent wanted people to exercise their rights in accordance with the democratic system.

Asked to detail how much they knew about the charter draft, 45 per cent said they knew about it to “some extent”. About 32 per cent said they “did not really know”, 16 per cent said they “did not know at all” while 7.22 per cent said they fully understood the charter draft.

Groups tells NCPO ‘stop the intimidation’ as events shut

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THE NATION February 15, 2016 1:00 am

Women’s group pledges to continue publicising charter.

A CIVIC GROUP yesterday demanded that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) stop acts of intimidation after banning the group’s planned event in Amnat Charoen province, which the group said was meant to educate the public about the charter draft ahead of the referendum.

The Women’s Movement in Thai Political Reform (We-Move), led by Sunee Chairot, complained that security officials in the province cancelled the event, which was set for Saturday.

A source said We-Move issued the statement calling on the NCPO to stop acts of intimidation after officials followed its team members into a hotel where they were staying. The alleged intimidation took place after the event was cancelled, the source said.

Sunee said banning the event was intimidatory and prevented people from participating in the charter drafting process, although she admitted she had not sought permission to hold it.

She argued the event was meant to educate the public about the draft and was not political.

She said her group had held similar events in Bangkok and Lampang provinces without a problem. She added that events in Amnat Charoen would not stop her group’s planned charter education event in Phatthalung province at the end of this month.

Former labour minister Ladawan Wongsriwong expressed concern over what had happened to We-Move, saying the government’s image had been tarnished. She urged Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) chairman Meechai Ruchupan to heed public recommendations on amending the first version of the charter draft.

Former foreign minister Noppadon Pattama called on the government to hold a broadcast debate over the charter draft and allow the media, the public and politicians to join it.

He dismissed claims by the CDC that the charter draft was democratic by international standards, pointing out that in Germany and France the selection of the senate and the constitutional court is linked to the people or representatives of the people.

“Critics have questioned why the CDC gives too much power to the Constitutional Court, which has the power to decide the fate of other agencies, without providing effective checks and balances on the court itself,” he said.

Democrat Party deputy spokesman Ramet Rattanachaweng urged the CDC to be open-minded and accept public reflection on the charter draft and to review controversial points such as those covering people’s rights and liberty.

“If the CDC believes that politicians only present ideas that benefit them, or the charter writers really shun politicians, they can write that there should be no politicians or people’s representatives,” he said.

Democrat Party deputy leader Ong-art Klampaiboon said the draft lacked a guarantee for people’s rights and liberty, especially the rights of communities to manage national resources.

There was also no provision on human dignity like in the 1997 and 2007 charters, Ong-art said.

Thammasat activist ‘to deny all charges’

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POLITICS

JUTHATHIP LUCKSANAWONG,
WASAMON AUDJARINT
THE NATION February 15, 2016 1:00 am

Sirawith

Sirawith

AFTER BEING freed temporarily from Thonburi railway police station on Saturday night, an accused Thammasat student activist said he would deny allegations regarding a violation of the junta’s prohibition against political gatherings at his appearance in Bangkok military court today.

Sirawith “Ja New” Seritiwat was arrested during the Thammasat-Chulalongkorn traditional football match on Saturday when he joined Thammasat’s traditional political satire parade.

He was detained by uniformed police officers from Pathumwan station and plainclothes, unidentified security officers.

The charge followed a second warrant issued by the military court summoning him for alleged violations of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) No 3/2015 following his leading role in an attempted protest on December 7 against alleged irregularities in Rajabhakti Park construction projects.

The activist was released on Saturday night after Bt10,000 bail was posted by his acquaintance Ida Arunwong na Ayuthaya, said Pol Lieutenant Pakpoom Dechareungsilp, an inspector at the railway police station where Sirawith was detained.

Sirawith told The Nation that he had been ordered to return to the police station this morning and would be summoned by the military court.

He said he would insist that he had not violated the NCPO order because he had merely attempted take an action that was not fully carried out.

Khumklao Songsomboon, a lawyer working with Sirawith and other activists, confirmed that legal approach, adding that the activist would also deny other charges issued by the court.

Because five other activists face the same charges, Khumklao added, she expected Sirawith would eventually be freed regardless of his alleged leading role.

Sirawith would deny all allegations even though he might eventually face prosecution, she said.

Khumklao also suggested that authorities should investigate more witnesses related to the case.

EC aims for ‘quality democracy’

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/EC-aims-for-quality-democracy-30279313.html

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Piyaporn Wongruang
The Nation February 15, 2016 1:00 am
Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn introduces Dao Nuea (North Star), a mobile application designed to help voters search for name lists, polling stations and maps of constituencies. The application is set to be used for the first time at the upc

Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn introduces Dao Nuea (North Star), a mobile application designed to help voters search for name lists, polling stations and maps of constituencies. The application is set to be used for the first time at the upc

ON WEDNESDAY, the schedule for a referendum on the charter draft became clearer as the Election Commission (EC) met Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam to discuss unsettled issues. Afterwards, they set the date for the vote on about July 31, although it could be held a week earlier or later.

Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, the election commissioner responsible for administering the election, shared the preparations he has made for the upcoming referendum as well as the challenges ahead with The Nation’s Piyaporn Wongruang.

WE HAVE HAD REFERENDUMS HELD BEFORE; HOW WILL A REFERENDUM THIS TIME BE DIFFERENT FROM IN THE PAST?

The referendum this time has a focus on readjustment based on three main principles so that we can gain clearer objectives and approaches. We think a referendum should embrace the people’s convenience at its heart, it should also be just and fair, and lastly it should help boost “quality democracy”. As we came up with the main principles, we translated them into our plans and approaches.

SO, THE FIRST PRINCIPLE IS ABOUT PEOPLE’S CONVENIENCE?

We want people to experience the utmost convenience as we wish to see as many as possible come out and cast a ballot. So, we have been reviewing the [polling] timing, locations and procedures to facilitate voting the most. That’s the reason why we have moved the closing time for a poll station from 3pm to 4pm. Secondly, we have come up with a new application, called “Dao Nuea” or “the Northern Star”, to help direct people to a poll station. There is some other new technology to support people including online registration.

This is a new dimension for our future elections because it has changed the whole mindset about an election, from a conventional approach that says people should find their own way to cast a ballot, to a new approach that is based on people’s convenience so as many as possible can come out and cast a ballot.

WHAT ABOUT THE SECOND PRINCIPLE?

The second principle is about how to hold a fair and just referendum. As we know, our society now is deeply divided and people stand against one another, so it’s quite a challenge to hold a fair and just referendum for something important like the charter draft.

Some people may say if the charter draft fails in this referendum, it’s the EC’s responsibility, but I must say a referendum is about opening space for all to express something important about their lives, not pulling people out to accept something. So, we will be there to ensure that people have space to express themselves on the charter draft and make a decision about it.

This is actually what a referendum means, and the EC must have a lot of courage to make such a space. And that’s the reason why we have come up with rules and procedures to regulate the referendum this time.

Q SO, YOU HAVE PREPARED PROCEDURES ALREADY, ESPECIALLY IN REGARD TO PEOPLE’S CAMPAIGNS AHEAD OF THE VOTE?

A This is what I would like to call a dilemma. We are walking a fine line to make it fair and just. We are trying to balance between how to make people campaign so other people receive balanced information enough to make an independent decision, while not falling prey to political interests or hidden agendas. So, we think we will base campaigns on this rationale.

How to do this? We have come up with guidelines that say people who wish to campaign must group together and register with us first. Then they have to express their position to show us their plans of activities. If we see these are deemed to stir disturbances, we will call them off and offer alternatives, including public debates.

Actually, we have also planned to hold debates on TV to ensure both sides have equal space to express their views on critical issues in the charter draft ahead of the referendum. TV debates will happen about 10 times.

In addition, we have also proposed a new act to facilitate and secure the referendum. It would come with penalties for violating the act.

The penalties would be based under the Election Act. For instance, vote buying is prohibited, and so is using drama and plays to lure voters.

Or if people try to close or disrupt a poll, they would face a jail term of one year or a fine of no more than Bt20,000.

We want to see the law enacted around April, but if it is not in time, we would ask the Cabinet to issue a Royal decree.

This is the principle of doing what is right, no matter how threatened the principle is, and the EC must stand firm, no matter if it faces colour-coded voters or military officers at a poll. If they are deemed to be disturbing the vote, we will call them out.

AND THE LAST PRINCIPLE IS ABOUT A “QUALITY DEMOCRACY”. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

Looking at the past, we see that many of us somehow have made decisions without having well-rounded information following political competition. So, the challenge in the referendum this time is how people can get well-rounded information so they can make a fully independent decision.

At first we thought of printing and distributing around 17 million copies of the charter draft, but now we have agreed to pursue every means to disseminate information, especially with the help of new technology such as applications and mobile phones to get people information about the draft.

I must say the last one is the most difficult as it involves a number of people in this country. We have to accept that we are in a society which is deeply divided, and our views are very polarised, and influenced one way or another.

I must say that The success of this task cannot be assured by the EC alone. Political figures, the media and others can help. At least, don’t add further fuel to the fire.

IT SEEMS YOU HAVE PREPARED WAYS TOWARDS THE REFERENDUM ALREADY, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE UNSETTLED ISSUE CONCERNING AN AMBIGUOUS VOTE COUNT?

We have agreed that the interim charter will be revised on this point within one month. So, we will correct the wording to make it clear that use a majority of voters who turn out, not eligible voters, will be necessary to pass the referendum. It’s just a wording problem that we can correct, not a big deal.

WHAT WILL BE NEXT IF THE CHARTER DRAFT CANNOT PASS THIS REFERENDUM?

If the charter draft is rejected, the EC will have nothing to do next, but other concerned agencies will, including the government. But if the draft passes the referendum, then the EC will in its next step prepare an election. We would then have to work further on necessary organic laws to pave the way for an election. Actually we have roughly prepared three or four drafts already.

THE REFERENDUM SEEMS TO BE LIKE A TEST FOR THE EC ITSELF AS WELL FOR ITS ROLE IN THE FUTURE?

It will show us how an election and administrations regarding it will move into the future.

Under this charter draft, the EC’s role and authority will also be strengthened because we are demanded to help boost quality politics via effective screening of quality politicians. In my view, we have been provided with quite complete authority that we can enforce from the start by the determination of an election date. This is very important as it can create advantages and disadvantages in politics.

From now on, we do not have to consult with the government in order to determine an election date.

The government will not have any role in this, only the EC.

The EC will also be able to give a red card to corrupt candidates. We can investigate and give a red card one year after an election, but this decision would have to be forwarded to a court to rule on it because consequences would be severe: a lifetime ban in politics.

ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT THE COMING REFERENDUM?

I’m not, in terms of performance of duties. But like I said, if there were any worries, I would be worried the most about the No-3 task (how people can learn the facts and make a decision without being politically influenced while society is deeply divided like this).

CDC set to consider changes to charter draft

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/CDC-set-to-consider-changes-to-charter-draft-30279316.html

Kanittha Thepjorn
The Nation
February 15, 2016 1:00 am

Starting tomorrow, the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) will begin making changes to the charter draft following comments received from people and authorities, CDC spokesperson Udom Rathamarit yesterday.

The draft’s second section on Thai people’s rights and freedom would most likely be amended, Udom said, after activists accused them of leaving out legislation on the issues. The draft, in fact, does consider the issues, he said, but some amendments could be done to address the activists’ concerns.

The CDC will also discuss more about a single-ballot electoral system, he said, regarding public concerns that the election of MPs should retain the double-ballot system.

He thought, however, that the CDC’s electoral idea could be explained on how it fits the country’s political situation. Political struggles could also be solved through other legal mechanisms, for instance organic laws on political parties to counter the influence of financiers over the parties, he said.

Regarding concerns about the sourcing of senators, he said most people attending the CDC’s hearing in Surat Thani did not specify the process, whether senators should come from selection or indirect election. The CDC will explain whether there would be amendments to address these concerns, he said.

He stressed that all comments will get equal consideration, including those from the National Council for Peace and Order.

Tentatively, he said, the CDC may reconsider the articles of the draft chronologically. Any amendments will be done based on consensus within the CDC, he said.

Sunnylands gives summit informal air

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US-ASEAN SUMMIT

SUPALAK GANJANAKHUNDEE
THE NATION February 15, 2016 1:00 am
Sunnylands

Sunnylands

Prayut also meets whit Thai scientists working at NASA.

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama will host a summit today with Asean leaders at a location that could be called the West Coast “Camp David” to achieve their strategic partnership goals.

The meeting will be held at the Sunnylands centre in Rancho Mirage, California.

To make the venue available for the US-Asean summit, the historic estate and adjacent Sunnylands Center & Gardens has been closed to the public since 9am on February 7 and will reopen 9am on Saturday.

Obama has had several opportunities to use the venue of the beautiful and comfortable estate for important meetings with world leaders. The president has often found the grounds to be conducive to dialogue and discussions, according to W Patrick Murphy, the deputy chief of mission at the US Embassy in Bangkok.

“Being in California is convenient for the leaders from Southeast Asia to travel to the West Coast of the US. It is also kind of nice to be outside of Washington since things [that] happen in Washington trend to be formal, limited in time … Sunnylands is a chance to get away from the capital and day-to-day business to focus on the dialogue,” Murphy said.

The US-Asean Sunnylands gathering will not send a political message to China, he added, although the venue has been used for meetings between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Obama in recent years.

While it is apparent that the US and China are competing to win hearts and minds in Asean, some members such as the Philippines and Vietnam have territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea and need to build close alliances with the US. As a result, some analysts have disagreed with Murphy, saying a meeting at the same Sunnylands venue may send in fact send a message to China.

“Some might be reading too much into that, in fact President Obama also hosted the King of Jordan at Sunny-lands,” Murphy insisted. “You might be surprised, we don’t have a lot of perfect venues for this kind of event; [Sunnylands is] intimate, friendly but also has the infrastructure to support personnel, the media and other components that are necessary when the leaders come together.”

Sunnylands is owned and operated by the Annenberg Foundation Trust, which was established by Walter and Leonore Annenberg in 2001. Since it was founded, the Trust has focused on programmes to improve civics education, developed and spread information targeting the treatment of mental disorders in adolescents, facilitated communication among Annenberg-funded organisations to augment their effectiveness, and hosted retreats analysing how to buttress democratic institutions. “It is this history that forms the bedrock of the current retreat programming,” according to the Sunnylands website. Before her death in 2009, Leonore Annenberg began to build a 1,600-square-metre building and 3.6-hectare garden to provide additional meeting areas for retreats and to educate the public about the historic significance of Sunnylands, the website added.

The Trust occasionally considers request from outside organisations to use the venue, although it is not available to rent for weddings, business conferences or other social events.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who left Bangkok yesterday, will have the opportunity to attend meetings and functions at Sunnylands on Monday and Tuesday but will not stay overnight at the centre.

The prime minister is staying at a California hotel, which he will also use a workspace and meeting venue in connection with the US-Asean summit. Shortly after landing in California, he met with Thai scientists who work at Nasa as well as representatives of the private US online firm Amazon.

On the first day today, Prayut will join Asean leaders meeting Obama under the banner of “Promoting Regional Prosperity Through Innovation and Entrepreneurship”.

Obama is also hosting a working dinner with his Asean counterparts at the historic Sunnylands house to discuss his regional strategic outlook.

On the final day of the US-Asean summit tomorrow, Asean leaders will hold discussions with Obama titled “Protecting Peace, Prosperity, and Security in the Asia-Pacific”. Prayut is scheduled to leave California tomorrow afternoon.

 

Thai missions to tell world election to be definitely held next year

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TO TELL FOREIGN MEDIA

THE SUNDAY NATION February 14, 2016 1:00 am

THAI embassies and consulates all over the world have been instructed to tell foreign media and people in general that a general election will definitely be held next year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the instruction to all Thai missions, Sek Wannamethee, director general of the Department of Information and ministry spokesman, said.

“The ministry has ordered all of Thailand’s embassies and consulates to explain to the different sectors and mass media of foreign countries about our country’s political development,” he said yesterday.

Sek said that Thailand was in the |second phase of the three-phase road map to return democracy to the country.

“Reform is being implemented along with drafting a new constitution. All this will lead to the next general election within 2017,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha was making the final touches on what should be revised in the charter draft before suggestions from the Cabinet were submitted to the Constitution Drafting Commission tomorrow.

“We don’t expect the CDC to revise their draft in line with all of our suggestions. And there is no need for the drafters to refer to the Cabinet’s recommendations alone,” Wissanu said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party had submitted suggestions on how to revise the first draft to CDC chairman Meechai Ruchupan.

Abhisit said the Democrats had mainly called on the drafters to retain the chapter on rights and liberties, as was the case in 1997 and 2007 constitutions. He noted that there had been widespread concern over this matter.

“The CDC should revise their draft in a way that is acceptable to the public,” he said.

In a related development, the government has publicised diagrams showing the relationship between the Cabinet and other organisations set up after the coup of 2014.

Government spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said that PremierPrayut, who also heads the National Council for Peace and Order, wanted the public and foreigners to better understand the workings of these agencies.

General Prayut did this in the face of attempts by some people to create confusion and misunderstanding, the spokesman said.

Yingluck has not damaged country, Pheu Thai insists

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RESPONDING TO PRAYUT

PRAPHAN JINDALERTUDOMDEE
THE SUNDAY NATION February 14, 2016 1:00 am

Party rejects Prayut’s reaction to her remarks to foreign correspondents

PHEU Thai Party has denied Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s claim that ex-PMYingluck Shinawatra damaged the country when she spoke to foreign media on Friday.

Party deputy spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard said he was unsure whether Prayuthad read the foreign media reports based on her comments.

But he noted that General Prayut had said, without identifying anyone, that someone had talked to the foreign media and caused damage to the country.

“He may have read the Thai translations [of the articles], which could be incomplete or inaccurate,” Anusorn said.

“A former prime minister who came from an election [win] is well aware of the trust of the public [in her]. She certainly has not done anything damaging to the country.”

He said Yingluck, Pheu Thai’s former leader, was careful when commenting about Thailand and “has always thought of the national interests”.

On Friday, foreign correspondents were invited for salad at Yingluck’s house, and she gave them a tour of her vegetable garden.

Yingluck gently parried questions on politics and touched briefly on that area, saying a new constitution must be carefully considered before it goes to a referendum in July.

“You will have to live with this constitution. So please make sure it fits with Thailand. It must be |people-centric,” she said.

She also said: “We need to keep quiet and give the junta a chance.”

She added that she hoped the government would “do as it promised” and hold a general election.

Yingluck said she did not think she would be held responsible for her then government’s corruption-plagued rice-pledging scheme.

She argued that she was a policy-maker and therefore should not be deemed responsible for the corruption, according to a source close to her.

The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders is trying Yingluckfor alleged negligence in connection with the rice subsidy project.

A government fact-finding committee has determined that she should be held responsible for half of the estimated Bt500 billion in public funds lost under the project.

Varsity satire parade comes under close junta scrutiny

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Varsity-satire-parade-comes-under-close-junta-scru-30279264.html

TRADITIONAL ANNUAL FOOTBALL MATCH

KASAMAKORN CHANWANPEN
THE SUNDAY NATION February 14, 2016 1:00 am

‘NCPO’ banner seized; changes sought to effigy of chief charter drafter

THE POLITICAL satire parade at the traditional annual football match between the country’s two elite universities yesterday faced strict censorship from security officers.

The move seemed to be a fallout of last year’s parade where a junta-chief-like figure took the football field under the cover of a Middle East Islamic State figure.

Yesterday, a figure looking like chief constitution drafter Meechai Ruchupan holding a constitution above his head, as if he was throwing it to a puppet under a giant machine gun, needed urgent modification less than an hour before the parade was staged. Security officers asked students to remove the gun because it could be interpreted as relating to the military.

After a couple of rounds of negotiations, students agreed to cut off the pistol grip and the magazine parts to make it look less like a machine gun. Without the modifications, the figure would not have been allowed to enter the stadium.

Also, a banner with the acronym NCPO, standing for the National Council for Peace and Order, was seized by officers who at the last minute also closed the stadium gate to stop the political satire parade for a final security check.

Besides banners reading political parody messages, there were five major figures. The first featured the famous Star Wars character Darth Vader of the dark side of the force serving the evil that seeks to create an empire.

Second was a popular Thai Facebook figure ‘the yellow chicken’ with a message “We [heart emoticon] Thai Military” – though the chicken is notorious for bringing bad luck to whoever it supports.

Third was a dragon featuring the China-Thai speed train deal, which would cost Thailand Bt3 trillion.

Fourth was a coconut shell with an arrow featuring international news agencies and social networking sites trying to pierce through.

And the last was the embattled figure featuring the machine gun and the constitution, which the students explained signified how the constitution was exploited to favour one group of people and suppress the other.

None of the figures were banned and all passed through the gate to join the traditional football match between Thammasat and Chulalongkorn universities. This year marked the 71st anniversary of the event.

When the parade was going out of the exit gate, students carrying the last figure together raised the three-finger sign as a sign of resistance to the junta. The sign, taken from the famous film Hunger Games, is a symbol of revolution and resistance to dictatorship and injustice.

There were also hidden banners at the stadium. One read: “What is the military for?” and the other answered: “For banning political satire banners.”

Undercover security officers yesterday wore Chulalongkorn and Thammasat jerseys.

Some active political activists from Thammasat University also joined the ceremony.

Among them was Sirawith Seritiwat who was later yesterday detained by officers as he had an arrest warrant for taking the trip to the Rajabhakti Park |in Hua Hin late last year to symbolically examine the case of corruption.