View Full Version : Referendum YES & no
EC: Unofficial vote result known at 9pm
(BangkokPost.com) - Election Commission (EC) expected that unofficial result of the national referendum on a draft constitution would be known at 9pm on Sunday, which is five hours after voting deadline.
EC chairman Apichart Sukhakkhanont said after having checked the preparation of the referendum scheduled for Sunday that he has not found any problems so far.
Number of police will be triple in the three southernmost provinces which is plagued by unrest to prevent insurgent attacks, he said.
Mr Apichart also revealed that the southern part of the northeastern region is the most affected by the anti-charter movement, adding that he has ordered officials to closely monitor the situation.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120956
2bangkok.com's very own referendum poll:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2668
Discussion thread on the merits & demerits of the 2007 Constitution:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=2567
Turnout expected to be more than 70%
(BangkokPost.com) - Interior Ministry is confident that voter turnout at a referendum on a draft constitution will be more than 70% nationwide.
Interior Ministry permanent secretary Pongpayom Wasaputi said he is not concerned about anti-charter movement, adding that he has faith in provincial governors, government officials and powers of local people who has tried to campaign about the referendum.
Those who oppose the charter are minorities, he said.
Mr Pongpayom also expressed confidence that blackout will not occur during the tally of the votes.
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120960
Ron Morris of http://www.2bangkok.com will be a guest on ASTV 2's Thailand Outlook Channel (TOC)as part of a live two-hour wrap-up, after the 2007 Constitution Referendum closes tomorrow afternoon at 16:00:
http://www.astv-tv.com/toc_broadcast.html
I'll update this post when I have the exact schedule, program title and anchor details. The current expectation is 19:00 - 21:00 Bangkok time.
Normal TOC Schedule:
http://www.thailandoutlook.tv/toc/toc_schedule.aspx
Thailand tightens southern security for referendum
Thailand deployed 15,000 troops to beef up security for the country's first-ever referendum at 2,558 polling stations in the trouble-torn deep South, military sources said.
An estimated 70 per cent of Thailand's 45 million eligible voters are expected to vote on Sunday in a referendum on the kingdom's new constitution, which was drafted by a military-appointed committee in the aftermath of the September 19, 2006 coup, said Interior Ministry permanent secretary Pongpayom Wasaputi.
Opinion polls suggest the new constitution, Thailand's 18th since a military coup ended the absolute monarchy and in 1932, will be approved, partly because Thais are weary of political instability and see the endorsement as a quick path to a general election tentatively scheduled at year-end.
Although there has been a vocal "vote no" campaign, led chiefly by supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted by the September 19 coup, there has been little violence reported in the run-up to the referendum, Thailand's first.
On Saturday, however, suspected insurgents opened fire on a polling station at a school in Rueso district of Narathiwat province, which along with Pattani and Yala comprise Thailand's so-called deep South.
The area has witnessed more than 2,300 slayings since January, 2004, when Muslim militants stormed an army arms depot and stole 300 war weapons, signalling an escalation in the separatist struggle that has simmered on and off in the area for the past five decades.
The three provinces are already under "emergency decree," allowing authorities to detain suspects without charges for up to a month.
"Authorities have analysed the situation and came up with a protection plan to prevent insurgents from stirring unrest both on the referendum day and in the long term," Major General Kasikorn Kirisri, commander of the Fourth Army area, told the Bangkok Post website news service.
Most Muslim organizations in the area have said they will support the new constitution.
Nearly 80 per cent of the 2 million people living in the three southernmost provinces profess to be Muslims, making the Thai Buddhists of the deep South a minority community in predominantly Buddhist Thailand.
The three-province area, which borders Malaysia, comprised an independent Islamic sultanate known as Pattani for hundreds of years before being conquered by Bangkok in 1786. The area came under direct rule of the Bangkok bureaucracy in 1902. (dpa)
May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=120963
Just a thought: How different will Thailand be after the referendum?
Published on August 18, 2007
Despite the efforts of both the "yes" and "no" camps, politics in Thailand is unlikely to change much after tomorrow's historic referendum.
Politicians may switch parties, giving rise to strange bedfellows, and the political atmosphere may improve as the public has voted, but in the end the long entrenched political culture of this Kingdom will remain the same. That's where the crux of the problems lies.
Even the rallying leading up to tomorrow's vote reflects all the dirty tactics employed in Thai politics: vote-buying, mudslinging and propaganda campaigns. A relatively new innovation for this referendum has been the reported use of multi-level marketing, urging one voter to seek 10 more.
These dirty tactics will not go away no matter how many constitutions Thailand has. The country's record on national elections, despite efforts to ensure free and fair ones, doesn't provide much hope for the future either. Vote-buying has been with us all along, and it seems it's here to stay.
While the public must be on guard against such bribery, stopping this vicious cycle completely requires politicians to be conscientious.
Villagers cannot be blamed for their sincerity in reciprocating favours, but to play on this soft spot is a wicked, albeit a clever ploy. Indeed the responsibility to set good standards lies more with politicians than on the public, who already have a lot to shoulder making a living.
Equally deeply rooted is the exceptional ability of Thai politicians to find loopholes in the law. The past five years were a prime example. Check-and-balance mechanisms, especially independent agencies, were distorted as never before.
Or take a look at some former politicians who tried their best to outwit a court order prohibiting them from causing a rift in society. They must think they are damn smart to be able to challenge a court order.
Selling one's soul is another prominent feature. Whether it's for Bt20 million, Bt30 million, or more, Thai politicians rarely think of the country's interest. It's doubtful whether they could even spell out what their responsibilities are as a result of having taken "public office" and to whom they are actually accountable.
Shame is also never an issue. We would never see Thai politicians apologising for their wrongdoings as we do in countries with civilised politicians.
The breed of politicians that have littered the Thai political landscape for so long are blessed with especially thick facial skin.
It's a pity to see constitution-drafters rack their brains to set up the best guideline for the country, just to see it erased on average once every 4.41 years. Since Thailand's change to constitutional monarchy in 1932, Thailand has had 17 constitutions. Tomorrow may result in either a brand new one or a modification.
Even the 1997 constitution, which is believed to have been the best so far, had its flaws, but again no constitution is perfect. A strong political culture, in which politicians automatically take to heart what is appropriate without needing written laws to spell out punishments, can only be created by starting with the politicians themselves.
Thailand has been fixated with this culture for so long that one can only hope for the best after the referendum, just as we all hoped for the best from the 1997 constitution.
One benefit from the upcoming referendum, though, is that we have debate around the country. It's especially heartening to see politicians, academics, students and members of the public discuss the pros and cons of the draft constitution. Such exchanges are crucial to any country's development. These debates, particularly those involving politicians, had been lacking for the past couple of years because some just simply didn't have the guts to take on challenges.
For our part, we should all exercise our votes, not only because it's historic in the sense that this is the first time we have been allowed to vote directly for or against a draft constitution, but also to show that at least we as voters live up to our responsibilities.
Veenarat Laohapakakul
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/18/opinion/opinion_30045478.php
People can inform the authorities of electoral frauds on the 1171 hotline telephone service. A round-up of the various Electoral Commission preparations for tomorrow's poll:
18 August 2007
Unofficial referendum result to be announced before 24:00 tomorrow
Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham (สดศรี สัตยธรรม) is confident that the unofficial result of the 2007 constitution would be known before midnight tomorrow (August 19th).
She says the EC officials, equipments and human resources are all set for the referendum tomorrow. She says the EC has coordinated with Thailand’s TV Pool, and the referendum will be televised on all eight channels. She also believes the voter turnout will be more than 70 percent.
Mrs. Sodsri says the EC officials have prepared plans to deal with potential flood disasters in certain provinces such as Mae Hong Son and Phang Nga so the referendum would be carried out in an orderly manner.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter02
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008180018
18 August 2007
EC officials will have to accurately interpret intentions of voters traveling in groups
Election Commissioner Sodsri Sattayatham (สดศรี สัตยธรรม) says the officials will have to observe the intentions of people who will be traveling in groups to vote in the 2007 constitution referendum tomorrow (August 19th).
Mrs. Sodsri says if people are honest to exercise their right to vote, then it would not violate the law. However, if officials have discovered vote-buying activities among the group members, they would be considered as illegitimate. Therefore, the officials have to interpret the intentions of voters very carefully.
Mrs. Sodsri says eligible voters who are undecided whether they would accept or reject the 2007 constitution draft tomorrow can report themselves to the officials at their referendum booths to show that they have shown up and exercised their right to vote. She says it is legal for them not to mark on the ballot cards. However, people cannot tear up the ballot cards since it would be illegal.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter02
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008180021
18 August 2007
People in Surat Thani are advised to vote in morning
People in Surat Thani province are advised to travel to their respective referendum booths to vote in the 2007 constitution referendum tomorrow (August 19th) morning as heavy rain is expected to fall in the afternoon.
The Deputy Governor of Surat Thani, Mr. Winyu Tongsakul (วิญญู ทองสกุล), says the Meteorological Department of Thailand has issued a warning that a southwest monsoon covering the Gulf of Thailand may cause rainfall in the afternoon tomorrow. In addition, waves in the Gulf of Thailand will be around two to three meters high. Nevertheless, the Meteorological Department says the overall weather tomorrow should be fair.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255008180024
This page allows a breakdown by region (Bangkok, Central, North, North-East, South) and by province:
http://202.60.199.51/en/?prv=90
The final result could materialise between 21:00 and 00:00, if no untoward situations occur. There are no indications of any resounding result at present.
http://www.astv-tv.com/toc_broadcast.html
ASTV 2's TOC is currently providing Referendum Count coverage as part of their Thailand Focus program. Ron Morris of http://www.2bangkok.com has yet to put in an appearance. He is expected to be live on TOC for about 2 hours some time this evening.
This page allows a breakdown by region (Bangkok, Central, North, North-East, South) and by province:
http://202.60.199.51/en/?prv=90
The final result could materialize between 21:00 and 00:00, if no untoward situations occur. There are no indications of any resounding result at present.
Thai Rak Thai leading members held a press conference to announce their acceptance of the results of the national referendum and would push for amendments to improve the next constitution.
Speaking at a press conference at 6:20 pm, Chaturon Chaisang said the Thai Rak Thai would accept the results of the referendum although they saw that it was not organised in link with democratic principles.
"We will try to help maintain reconciliation in the society and will not push for a new referendum," Chaturon said.
"And in the future, we will propose amendments to make the charter more democratic."
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045664
Sonthi says defeat in Northeast serves lesson
Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin said the overwhelming "No" votes against the draft constitution served as a lesson for the government to try to solve the national problems.
Sonthi made the statement after being informed that most northeastern voters voted against the draft constitution.
"The results reminded us what the real situation is. I think the government has failed to infiltrate the Northeast because of other problems, which are unspeakable. But we have measures to deal with the problems. This is a lesson for us to try to adapt the measures," Sonthi said.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045656
Although it's looking more like a 58% to 42% Yes-No split at present. ASTV is reporting that the Ramkhamhaeng poll is not really an exit poll, as it was taken some days before the vote - with release delayed by the EC until after the polls closed. Approx. 55% turnout:
Ramkhamhaeng exit poll confirms draft charter passed
An exit poll carried out by Ramkhamhaeng University found that 60 per cent of voters approved the draft constitution.
The university announced that 60.19 per cent of 17,346 voters nationwide said they voted for the draft and the remaining 39.81 voted against it.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045640
http://i11.tinypic.com/5zna3rp.jpg
http://www.astv-tv.com/toc_broadcast.html
ASTV 2's Thailand Outlook Channel (TOC) is currently providing Referendum Count coverage as part of their Thailand Focus program. Ron Morris (Right) of http://www.2bangkok.com has JUST begun his appearance on the program, which is expected to last for about 2 hours. Also with Ron and the anchor is Paisal Sricharatchanya (Middle), former editor at the Bangkok Post and former Editor-in-chief of ThaiDay. He's now the Chairman of M.T. Multimedia Co. Ltd. I believe the lady anchor is Khun Chudaporn, with Khun Sarocha and Khun Rewadee discussing the incoming results at a separate desk. Khun Rosalyn is reporting from the EC office.
This results page from The Nation allows a breakdown by region (Bangkok, Central, North, North-East, South) and by province:
http://202.60.199.51/en/?prv=90
The final result could materialize between 21:00 and 00:00, if no untoward situations occur.
This pans out at roughly 58% Yes to 42% No:
At least 14.147 million voters support draft charter: unofficial count by police
An unofficial count of the Royal Thai Police showed that 14.147 million voters voted for the draft constitution while 10.143 million others voted against it.
The Royal Thai Police reported that 95.07 per cent of its unofficial counted at 10:15 pm showed that the draft was supported by most voters.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045700
NEW CHARTER : Yes: 56.7% No: 41.4%
Invalid: 1.9% as of 10.30pm
Published on August 20, 2007
See full article for regional vote pie-charts:
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/20/headlines/headlines_30045716.php
[All Images (below): The Nation]
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/images/2007/file/bkk.jpg
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/images/2007/file/central.jpg
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/images/2007/file/north.jpg
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/images/2007/file/northeast.jpg
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/images/2007/file/south.jpg
Election body gets 173 complaints
Published on August 20, 2007
Vote buying, gifts, parties and free tours among the list of reported violations.
The Election Commission received 173 complaints of violations in yesterday's referendum, secretary Suthipol Thaweechaikan said.
Meanwhile, the independent monitoring group People's Network for Elections in Thailand, or P-Net, reported vote buying and distribution of objects in several parts of the Northeast by those seeking rejection of the draft constitution.
The complaints received by the commission between August 10 and yesterday involved alleged vote buying, distribution of objects, free parties and tours, and illegal rallies.
Suthipol said after polls closed at 4pm that 70 complaints came from Bangkok and its surrounding provinces - the highest of all regions. That was followed by the Northeast, with 64 complaints, Central and the North with 17 complaints each, and five in the South.
The agency will investigate.
Suthipol added voters had been arrested for ballot destruction, which is against the law. These incidents took place in Ayutthaya, Roi Et, Angthong, Buri Ram, and Samut Prakan. Four alleged offenders said they misunderstood instructions and one admitted to doing so in protest.
The commission said any protest must be lodged within 24 hours, or by 4pm today. Complaints must be supported by at least 10 per cent of eligible voters registered at the polling station in which they occurred.
Meanwhile, P-Net secretary Varin Thiemjaras said yesterday vote buying and distribution of items, such as T-shirts and compact discs, was rife in the Northeast.
In Phitsanulok and Sakon Nakhon, some pro-government community radio stations broadcast appeals for voters to support the constitution draft, he said.
P-Net coordinator Boonma Pongma said yesterday there were fewer ballot papers than the number of eligible voters at more than 10 polling stations in Lat Phrao, Bang Kapi and Wang Thonglang districts.
Lat Phrao district chief Duangporn Wattakawanit said there were slightly fewer ballots than voters. She said it was rare for all eligible voters to participate. However, if that occurred, there were extra ballots available.
In a related development, the commission asked police to take action against a former Thai Rak Thai party member of Parliament for Buri Ram for allegedly handing out money and encouraging voters to vote no, a senior police officer said yesterday.
Former MP Sophon Saram was accused of giving Bt200 to voters in Buri Ram to vote against the charter, Colonel Jarungvit Pumma said. He is in charge of investigating vote buying.
The commission heard of the alleged vote buying during a recent visit to the province by its chief Suchart Sukakanond.
It asked police to investigate similar allegations in Kamphaeng Phet, Ratchaburi and Nakhon Phanom.
Meanwhile, police General Wichien Pojpoesri, the commission investigation chairman, said a police centre received 17 complaints over the referendum - 15 of which involved alleged distortion of charter content with the intention to mislead.
They are being treated as violations of election laws.
A suspect, Wiraj Insri, 38, was arrested in Kamphaeng Phet on August 12 after police found him distributing leaflets containing incorrect charter information. About 4,000 leaflets were confiscated. Wiraj said Police Sergeant Apayan Keeta had hired him.
Wichien said Apayan had been transferred after admitting to producing the material. He was found in possession of tens of thousands of the leaflets.
In Na Pho district of Buri Ram, three people were arrested on suspicion of giving cash to voters and encouraging them to vote against the charter.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/20/politics/politics_30045701.php
Lack of observers
Published on August 20, 2007
Election observers expressed concern over the lack of observers at many polling stations.
They suggested the possibility of government tampering of referendum ballot boxes.
Observers received a number of complaints from voters whose names had been removed from electoral rolls. This may have been done by the Interior Ministry in an effort to increase the turnout percentage, they said.
Asian Network for Free Elections director Somsri Hananuntasuk said there were no observers at many polling stations and this opened up the possibility for "rigging of the result".
"[The government] could cheat if it wanted to," Somsri said.
She said the network urged the public to demand vigilance during the counting.
"The important thing is that people observe this themselves. Counting is crucial and [this time] we have no party representatives [because it's a referendum on the draft constitution]."
Somsri criticised the Election Commission for failing to encourage the public to monitor ballot counting, saying it had an opportunity to advertise but did not.
"We don't have enough observers and I'm worried about it."
Pravit Rojanaphruk,
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/20/politics/politics_30045690.php
Official Final Result expected about 18:30 today:
98 per cent votes counted and voter turnout is 56.5 per cent - Sodsri
Election Commission's member Sodsri Sattayatham said Monday that 98 per cent of votes is counted and about 25 million voters or 56.5 per cent showed up to votes in the Sunday referendum for the draft charter.
As of 8am, 57 per cent of voters voted yes for the draft and 41 per cent voted no, she said.
She singled out each region as follows;
Yes (%) No (%)
Bangkok 65.7 34.2
Central 66.8 32.1
Northeast 36.5 63,4
North 53.7 41,2
South 87.7 12.2
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045718
EC to endorse charter at 4 pm, submit official referendum results to CDA at 5 pm
The election commissioners will sign their name to endorse the draft constitution and official results of the draft constitution at 4 pm Monday, EC commissioner Sodsri Satayatham said.
She said the official results will be submitted to the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Assembly at 5 pm.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045719
mdechgan
20-08-07, 12:13 PM
Looks like the TRT still has strong support from the Isaan area.
The south was really surprising due to the majority of yes votes.
I guess they really hated the old TRT government.
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/2007referendummapx02.jpg
[Map: Chris Baker@ New Mandala]
Here is a “quick and dirty” map of the referendum result provided by Chris Baker. Thanks Chris!
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2007/08/20/the-pink-zones/#comments
But New Mandala's observations on the results
http://rspas.anu.edu.au/rmap/newmandala/2007/08/20/14-out-of-45-an-endorsement-for-the-junta/
14 out of 45. An endorsement for the junta?
August 20th, 2007 by Andrew Walker · 3 Comments
In the controversial April 2006 election the Thai Rak Thai party received almost 16 million votes. Many argued that this was an illegitimate election victory, largely because of the boycott by the main opposition parties and the low voter turnout. What was the result in yesterday’s referendum? With results from about 97% of booths, the Election Commission is indicating that the “yes” vote received about 14.3 million votes. This represents about 56% of votes cast. What will be most disappointing for the junta is that the voter turnout was relatively low, at about 55% of those registered to vote, despite its massive publicity campaign. In the three elections of the Thaksin era the turnout was 70%, 72% and 65%.
So, of the 45 million Thais registered to vote, 14 million have endorsed the proposed constitution. It is a victory of sorts (and key no vote campaigners have accepted it), but not an impressive one. The international reaction will be interesting to watch.
Love the comments:
#
Historicus // Aug 20, 2007 at 11:45 am
The results are going to scare the pants of the conservatives, the military leadership and the palace. Get ready for even more propaganda and, I fear, more repression and dirty tricks. The message that the troglodytes will draw from this result is that they need to be blunter in getting what they want. Sonthi B. said as much today.
#
2 Lleij Samuel Schwartz // Aug 20, 2007 at 3:07 pm
All this election has accomplished is statistically proven that Thailand is currently engaged in a “cold” civil war between the North/Northeast and the Central/South.
All that’s left now is to choose the fighting anthems of both sides, every great civil war has had them: the English Civil War had When the King Enjoys His Own Again for one side and Lili Burlero for the other. For the American Civil War, we, of course, have The Battle Hymn of the Republic and Dixie.
So any suggestions for songs representative of the sides in this conflict, my fellow New Mandalaians?
#
3 ThaiBloke // Aug 20, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Not exactly a resounding yes was it. And the old TRT stronghold has made its feeling very clear.
The next government is going to have to get the development bandwagon running hard in the North East to stop trouble up here I think. Looking around my home town, business is down, various shops closing, and yet the local govt is spending money on bratoo meung! Can’t they find something more beneficial to spend the money on in the countryside?
The country has never been so split I fear.
Charter approved with 57.81 per cent of votes: official results
The Election Commission officially announced Monday that the draft constitution was approved by 14.727 million of voters of 57.81 per cent of voters who exercised their rights.
A total of 25,978,954 voters or 57.61 per cent of 45,093,055 eligible voters exercised their right.
A total of 10,747,310 voters rejected the draft. They were 42.19 per cent of those who cast votes.
The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30045745
http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/images/2007/8/20/1_226731_1_3.jpg
[Photo: Al Jazeera]
Not really sure that these maps really prove anything. Well, at least not the conclusions Prachatai would like us to reach. I suppose one might say that it is extremely easy to bribe the poorest in society with small short-term bribes, and that it is extremely easy to bribe the rest by tapping into their patriotic indoctrination and with mucho promises of richpickings for those of already high rank. One would note that the Deep South bucked the trend to vote No because of martial law being imposed on it; although this could indicate how badly Thaksin and TRT's Wada Faction mismanaged the sub-region in the past:
http://www.prachatai.com/english/news.php?id=155
Referendum results correlated to areas under martial law
Prachatai
20 August 2007
Map of referendum results:
[Maps: Prachatai created by Poakpong Pongsasanongkul]
http://www.prachatai.com/05web/upload/HilightNews/library/200708/20_051804_91.jpg
Green = Yes
Red = No
Map of areas under martial law:
http://www.prachatai.com/05web/upload/HilightNews/library/200708/20_052035_83.jpg
Red = areas under martial law
Baton Rouge
20-08-07, 04:32 PM
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=120992
Farcical! :mad: If everyone is now so keen all of a sudden on the spirit of reconciliation, how come they were incapable of working in the same manner within the 1997 Constitution? To all intents & purposes that Constitution was probably about as good as any constitution ever gets. The need to negotiate the fine detail in a sensible and balanced manner is always paramount. Too bad that local politics and government is completely dominated by the unscrupulous! Would it be too cynical to suggest that Thaksin and TRT were both extremely hypocritical in choosing to suddenly back the old constitution that they had spent 5 years hacking to death? Would it also be too cynical to suggest that the Junta's main squabble with the 1997 Constitution was that it had allowed Thaksin & his TRT cronies to muscle in on traditional military/royalist spheres of influence. The elite have clearly forgotten their part in legitimizing Thaksin's worst excesses, by allowing him to get away with massive tax evasion in his early first term. It was all down hill after that massive lapse of common sense. Not even to mention their spineless acquiesence in his ill thought-out 'War on Drugs'. I suppose this is yet another constitution in a long-string that the rich and powerful will nobble any time it looks like underclasses are picking up too many of the crumbs from their table:
Abhisit: Charter needs to be fixed
(BangkokPost.com) - Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva stated the current charter has flaws and needs to be amended.
As people have done their duty by voting at the national referendum, he said it is now the turn of the military government, the Council for National Security and the National Legislative Assembly to do their part in restoring democracy.
“We should bring back the democratic climate to the country and start to solve the country’s problems as soon as possible,” he said.
The Democrat party leader suggested during a television interview aired on Channel 3 that political parties and groups should come together and find a middle path on the draft charter.
“As the votes for and against the draft charter are so close, it means amendments to the charter are necessary,” he stressed.
“The sooner political parties and groups work together to sort out the charter’s flaws, the sooner we can get started on the election process.”
Thai Rak Thai group member Surapong Suebwonglee also supported Mr. Abhisit’s idea, stressing the need for co-operation in order to help lift the country out of the current political stalemate.
“There are many long term disadvantages to the draft charter. To this effect, it is vital that we all come together to carry the country through this problem,” he said.
“I, for one, would be more than happy to work with any political party, group or academic in order to fix the draft charter.”
Wisarut
20-08-07, 06:14 PM
Unofficial results by manager Daily
http://www.manager.co.th/Politics/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000097469
Opinion 1095
The referendium result implined the subconschiousness of Isan people ... co,mparing with thsoe from 3 troublesome provinces ... Those from 3 troblesome Southern provinces still csare more abotu Thainess than those isan people thwo act more like hoards of cattle .... Look at some Provinces, they cannot dare to wear Yellow Shirt for his Majesty ... but htey have to wear red shirts of thsoe RED GUARD ....
To be fair, Isan people have been traumatized by abject and chronic poverty, never get sincere treatment by central government ... The schism between Isan people and Central Government have caused them to be manipulated and brainwashed by political Scorndrels in both local and National levels.
Another weakness of Isan peole is the chronic Disunity among themselves , - Jealousy among themselves ... Even askign the governemtn to removbe thsoe bad bureauct and police to the TROUBLESOME provinces in the South instead of Sackign them .... a TRUE act of Jealousy toward thre Southerners
SUhc jealousy ONLY causes very weak societies - nearly at bankrupcy even among politicians from Isan. This also due to insincerity of the central government by NOT implement social development and good education system.
The first step for real heal is to ensure that thsoe local and National politicians cannot tellign a BIG LIE to those Isan people. The bureaucrat and Armed forces and even politicians must bew a good role model for those people ...
Look at the farmers form the SOuth, they can manage to send their kids to Study in Malaysia and Singapore ... even without government swcholarship.
Why the farmers from Isan FAILED to do the same thing as theo farmers in the South?
How can we plant the consciousness to sacrifice themselves for sake of the Nation if we keep thsoe Isan people ignorant as they are?
National referendum : Official results
Official results of the vote count of the national referendum on the draft charter.
Eligible voters : 45,929,955
Voter Turnout : 25,978,154 (57.61%)
Yes : 14,727,306 (56.69%)
No : 10,747,441 (41.37%)
Void : 504,120 (1.94 %)
Highest voters' turnout : Lamphun (75.35%)
Lowest voters' turnout : Surin (49.66%)
Highest number of void ballots : Pattani (6.05%), followed by Yala (5.38%) and Narathiwat (4.37%).
Lowest number of void ballots : Bangkok (1.12)
Highest number of Yes votes : Chumphon (93.20%)
Highest number of No votes : Nakhon Panom (22.41%)
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/20/headlines/headlines_30045770.php
For those who read Thai, here's the Electoral Commission website with a results breakdown:
http://www.ect.go.th/
With a .pdf breakdown of results at the province level:
http://www.ect.go.th/thai/download50/post155.pdf
THAILAND: A long road back to human rights and the rule of law
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AS-196-2007
August 20, 2007
A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission
THAILAND: A long road back to human rights and the rule of law
Predictably, the military junta in Thailand has coerced, threatened, bought and cajoled part of the electorate into passing its 309-article constitution on August 19. From results to date, just over 14 million people out of the country's 45 million eligible voters crossed the box in favour of the charter. As only 25 million bothered to turn up at the poll booths, despite the saturating propaganda campaign in the weeks beforehand, this number was sufficient to carry the draft.
The number of voters was far lower than in previous recent elections, which have all been at least 62 per cent. In fact, the last time that there was a less than 60 per cent voter turnout was in the March 1992 general election that was hosted by the previous military dictatorship; its leader then took over as prime minister and was ousted by massive street protests a couple of months later, precipitating the period of nascent democracy and moves towards genuine constitutionalism of the 1990s, culminating in the abrogated 1997 Constitution. Unsurprisingly, the low percentage of votes cast has been played down, lest it suggest a heavy scepticism about the referendum and weariness about the persistent presence of the military in Thailand's politics and public affairs.
The conditions under which the constitution was passed bode ill for the days and months ahead. Martial law remained in effect across half the country. Opponents of the draft were intimidated and materials confiscated from houses and post offices. Protestors against the coup have been charged with criminal offences. Villagers were reportedly paid to attend government-backed rallies: precisely the sort of practice that the interim administration accused its predecessors of using to win elections. The army and bureaucracy were mobilised to see that the document, jacketed in yellow as an unmistakable reference to the monarchy, was accepted. The entire event was conducted under a heavy anti-democratic atmosphere: precisely the sort of referendum that dictators have used throughout history to give the false impression of public endorsement for their actions. History also has many lessons about the types of repressive regimes and social turmoil that emerge from such deceitful public rituals.
The people of Thailand are now caught in strange and contradictory circumstances. On the one hand, the social and economic life of their country is undeniably in the 21st century. On the other hand, its political and legal life has now been firmly thrown back to the 1980s. As a result, many good persons will likely withdraw from those areas completely, while others who may have contributed to them will now be reluctant or unwilling to do so. The parliament, courts and legal profession will likely lose good people, as the former returns to an elite bureaucratic mode of government and the latter become more and more politically compromised and corrupted. Fewer persons also will seek to obtain redress for grievances through these institutions, and will instead turn to outside avenues and feudal remedies in order to gain partial satisfaction, rather than get nothing at all.
The coming general election too will do nothing to solve the country's problems. The junta will undoubtedly continue to manipulate and malign others throughout the coming period. The military has re-cemented its position at the centre of key institutions and regardless of whatever else happens it will use its renewed authority to full effect. Political parties will have only a small window for organising and campaigning. Those that sided with the regime can be expected to obtain the greatest advantages in the lead-up to the vote, while meanwhile over a hundred executives from the former ruling party have had their political rights revoked for five years under an order of the coup leader, shamefully endorsed by the proxy constitutional court set up after last September. In view of the current circumstances, the European Union and others would be wrong to send observers as has been proposed, as they would only serve to lend credence to another sham.
The Asian Human Rights Commission deeply regrets the passing of this regressive charter, not only for the people of Thailand but the people of the entire region. In the 1990s Thailand emerged as a place of hope and possibility for persons concerned with human rights and the rule of law in Asia. It set an example that encouraged others in more repressed societies. While the former government did much to damage this positive atmosphere, it took the army to destroy it completely. To rescue their country, the people of Thailand now have another long road ahead of them. For the sake not only of themselves but for the people in every other part of Asia that looked to them for inspiration and guidance, they should find the stomach and determination to carry on.
# # #
About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.
Posted on 2007-08-20
http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2006statements/1156/
jpatokal
21-08-07, 12:47 PM
For those who read Thai, here's the Electoral Commission website with a results breakdown:
Lowest voters' turnout : Surin (49.66%)
Highest number of void ballots : Pattani (6.05%), followed by Yala (5.38%) and Narathiwat (4.37%).
I was wondering why the South had such high positive percentages, but this would seem to explain why: only the Buddhists, who would be expected to prefer martial law, are voting, while Muslims are boycotting it -- hence the low percentages and the high numbers of "void" (defaced? empty?) ballots.
Wisarut
21-08-07, 12:59 PM
I jusdt got Morning News from Channel 3 ... It told me that the Referendium already Splitted the whole famiuly APART ... in such a way that wife who vote NO had used Machete to Slice the Throat of here Husband who vote YES :eek:
I was wondering why the South had such high positive percentages, but this would seem to explain why: only the Buddhists, who would be expected to prefer martial law, are voting, while Muslims are boycotting it -- hence the low percentages and the high numbers of "void" (defaced? empty?) ballots.
One report said that Yawi speakers were sometimes confused about how to fill in the voting slip. :rolleyes: Maybe in some cases.
The strong Yes vote in this area genuinely reflects a very high degree of anger with Thaksin for withdrawing state assistance to the region when local electors didn't vote for him in sufficiently high numbers in the general election. He is also widely perceived by many Buddhists and Muslims to have unnecessarily stirred up a problem in the deep south. There was also the perceived insult to General Prem; although I'm not convinced that everyone was all that bothered by this issue. Thaksin's notion that the region was awash with hoodlums - that he could easily control - also did little to endear him. Indeed, some of the dodgiest people in this area are thought to be moonlighting military & police Thaksin supporters - the sort of people who share his 'get rich quick, regardless' philosophy.
Thaksin (and previously his local TRT Wadah faction) are thought by many to have made a complete hash in the region. So there was a strong element of Thaksin and TRT dislike down here.
Some folks have also told me that there is a need to get back to business as usual, so as to prevent the insurgents thriving on disunity between the region and national government.
Wisarut
21-08-07, 08:54 PM
People in the 3 Toublesome Soutehr provinces want PEACE so they vote YES to Junta constitution
http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000098525
CHumporn is the No. 1 Percentage of thsoe who cast the vote for the referendium.
http://www.manager.co.th/Local/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9500000098507
BangkokPundit
22-08-07, 08:24 AM
I was wondering why the South had such high positive percentages, but this would seem to explain why: only the Buddhists, who would be expected to prefer martial law, are voting, while Muslims are boycotting it -- hence the low percentages and the high numbers of "void" (defaced? empty?) ballots.
Although, the "yes" vote in the 3 southern border provinces was about 70% on average which was significantly lower than the rest of the South. As I wrote elsewhere:
Ok, spoiled/void/invalid ballots occur for many reasons, but one of the reasons is outlined (http://www.komchadluek.net/2007/08/20/a001_131876.php?news_id=131876) by Kom Chad Luek who report that many ballots were invalidated by messages written on them. For example, they weren't happy with the work of soldiers in conducting searches and detaining suspects. "why you search my house and detain the innocent people" ("มึงมาค้นบ้านและจับผู้บริสุทธิ์ทำไม") and "I hate you" ("กูเกลียดมึง") are some examples. The source states that there are messages from those "for" the authorities and those "against" the authorities.
I also wonder what rule the Democrat Party support played in this. Interesting it was only those uneducated Northerners and NE people who didn't understand the charter (well, according to the CNS) and were subject to influence whereas the Southerners of course understood things clearly and were not subject to any influence.
Wisarut
24-08-07, 01:26 PM
After the referendium, Isan people were Collectively CONDEMNED as persona no grata or a hoard of BUFFALOES (an isult equivalent ot Jack ass) in the eyes of thsoe Bankokians and the SOutehrners as werll as theri fellows in Khorat and Buriram.
Khun Khaen Salika (Isan columnist) has wirtten an article to tell thsoe who condemned Isan people that:
If Democracy and Constitution are EDIBLE or IMPROVING the lives of Isna people, Isan people woudl vote Yes fo the constitution
More details can be seen here:
http://www.komchadluek.net/2007/08/column/m009_132348.php?news_id=132348
Poor Jobs of the Top Brases and Governemnt due to the Failture to get Yes votes from Isan people
http://www.oknation.net/blog/komchadluek/2007/08/20/entry-2
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