My life would remain the same. For an exporter, if a government can maintain peace and order in the country, then it is good for exports.

Many chronic problems have been solved and several problematic laws fixed.

I prefer this government because once fraudulent politicians take power, they will again harm the country.

MARK MASON, A BRITISH BUSINESSMAN WHO HAS LIVED IN THAILAND FOR SIX YEARS

I would not say it would change my life a great deal. But I would like to keep up to date with key constitutional changes in the country, so I can plan ahead from a business perspective.

I would like to see fair, open and transparent voting in Thailand and hope that it would be given a chance as much as possible prior to the referendum.

PAKORN AREEKUL, A MEMBER OF NEW DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT

Not just my life, but the life of every Thai person will change. We will see a real parliamentary dictatorship. Our elected representatives will not function as our true representatives. People will not have a chance to take part in Thailand’s development. People will become inferior and not the real owners of the country like before.

WISIT ITTHIWARAPORNKUL, A BUSINESSMAN IN PHUKET PROVINCE

The general public will remain happy as usual. Politicians and their canvassers who want to take advantage of the election and access to power will not be happy if this draft sails through the referendum because it comes with clear anti-corruption measures.

VEERA SOMKWAMKID, PROMINENT ANTI-CORRUPTION ACTIVIST

No matter if the draft passes or not, nothing in my life gets better as it would still go round and round in this politically vicious circle.

I would not accept a draft which is pressed into my hands by coup makers who tore down a constitution. And I don’t believe this draft would suppress corruption.

Besides, this draft does not respect basic rights and liberty of the people.

Tearing down the [previous] constitution, stepping in to become a government, clinging to the power, and even decriminalising its offences, all of these would not result in positive consequences for the country and the people.

BARAMEE CHAIYARAT, ASSEMBLY OF THE POOR COORDINATOR

If it turns out to be a “yes” result, the quality of life of the poor would deteriorate further. The previous 2007 Constitution carried the ideological concept of equality, which guaranteed that all people would be equally treated by the state. The state had to provide assistance to all people equally.

But this draft stipulates that the state has to “properly” assist people. In my view, this means the state would provide assistance to different groups of people based on appropriateness. This would separate people in society.

ANURUG RUANGROB, A COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISER AT THE COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

Following approval of the charter draft, my life would not change. Life goes on. I would continue to earn a living.

YADA TECHAWIWATTANAKAN, CORPORATE EMPLOYEE

If the draft gets approved, rights and freedom of expression would be so limited that my life would be depressed or gloomy rather than happy and joyful.

Essentially, three things can occur if the draft is approved.

First, the interim charter’s Article 44, which gives absolute power to the junta’s chief, will be used more intensively because the junta will think it has been accepted and that the public wants it to run the country.

Second, non-elected local representatives can take more seats in local administration offices, whereas there will be fewer elected administrators.

Last, people’s votes nationwide will be undermined as the junta and a handful of people can select 250 senators, who will account for a third of the Parliament.

PARIT CHIWARAK, A PRO-DEMOCRACY |STUDENT ACTIVIST

We will be dealing with an “unstable” education system, because it will principally come under state control and be subject to changes following state policies. Alternative education, meanwhile, will be further undermined as a result. Also, it will be difficult to get the draft amended.

THIKUMPORN KONGSORN, COMMUNITY LEADER FROM NAN PROVINCE

My life will not change. Even if the draft passes, my life will be the same.

PIYANUCH NARKKONG, VETERAN ORATOR AND MASTER OF CEREMONIES

The charter is just a paper that will not change society or anybody’s life. The development of the country relies on people, not rules. Most Thais are bored with politics, politicians, disputes and endless arguments. Now the country appears quite peaceful under this military regime.

VERAPAT PARIYAWONG, A VISITING SCHOLAR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LONDON, SCHOOL OF ORIENTAL AND AFRICAN STUDIES

While constantly bearing Thailand’s present situation in mind, my life in the UK has been rewarded both intellectually and professionally, and will likely continue to be so, irrespective of the result of the so-called referendum.

A “yes” result will at least serve as a stark reminder that much work remains to be done for Thailand’s true democracy, and one must not fail to be part of the effort.

ISSARA SOMCHAI, FORMER DEMOCRAT MP

I think democracy will be restored after the referendum. For me, I could go back to being a politician, work closely with local people and take part in politics again for the first time since the 2014 coup.

KRITSADANG NUTCHARUS, A HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER

My life will be the same, as the charter will do nothing to change the state of society. The economy, for instance, will remain the same and the gap between the rich and poor will still exist. We have tried many times to change our constitution, but none of them have been able to resolve the Kingdom’s issues.

I hope restrictions on freedom of speech and human rights will be eased after the referendum. But over all, the country will see a more intensive use of sweeping power by the authorities.

SUTIN AMTADE, BUSINESSMAN FROM CHIANG MAI PROVINCE

I think things will get better if the draft passes the referendum. The political situation will be more settled. However, I believe that a country’s development depends more on leaders, not on rules or a constitution.

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.

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.

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.

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.