Vote 'could endorse' PM

National Reform Committee member Paiboon Nititawan suggested two referendums be held – one to vote on endorsing the new constitution and one to vote on endorsing Prayut’s administration continuing for another two years before a new election is held so national reforms could be completed.

Paiboon has pushed for a campaign to solicit signatures so a referendum can be held to give Prayut legitimacy to continue running the country. 

There would be four scenarios if the referendums were held, he said.

If the public approves the charter draft and the two-year extension, the charter would take effect two years later and the provisional charter would continue to be in force for another two years; 

If the public approves the charter draft but disapproves of the two-year extension, the charter’s organic laws would be legislated and a general election called;

If the public disapproves of the charter but gives the nod for the two-year extension, a new charter draft would be written and reform would be carried out for two years;

If the public disapproves of the charter and the two-year extension, a new charter draft would be written as stipulated in the provisional charter.

Political activist and university lecturer Suriyasai Katasila cautioned the government yesterday against holding a referendum on extending its term, saying that could deepen national conflicts.

Suriyasai recommended that the government sign a pact with key agencies to set a new and clear roadmap to democracy. 

“The government and the people who push for the term extension have to think hard. With more than one year in office left, it is possible that the government could achieve its reform plans according to its current roadmap,’’ he said.

Political observers believe Prime Minister Prayut may be firmly in control domestically but he fears pressure from the international community, in particular the West, and resulting negative impacts on the economy.

Deputy chairman of the National Legislative Assembly’s economic committee, Issara Vongkusolkij, said he was not worried about possible negative repercussions from extending the government’s term because the business sector wanted political stability.

The economy was still strong with a current account surplus and the government could save more than Bt300 billion from energy imports, he said. 

Exports had slowed because of economic problems in some parts of the world such as the EU, he said. Although Thai farmers’ income had dropped because of dwindling rice and rubber prices, the tourism sector had seen a 24-per-cent rise over the past four months. 

However, Banyong Pongpanich, chairman of Phatra Capital, commented on his Facebook page yesterday that extending the government’s term would be wrong. “Both the National Legislative Assembly and the National Reform Committee, in association with crony businessmen, have joined forces to call on the PM to stay in power for another two years. He [the PM] seems to want to sacrifice and agree to the call. May I take a long sigh here …’’ he said.

Activist Suriyasai said public sentiment likely favoured extending Prayut’s rule as people feared that national divisions would persist after a general election. They want to see the premier deliver reforms first, he said. 

Suriyasai said old political faces were likely to return and old problems reoccur as political conflicts erupt continually, while there were no signs of national reconciliation.

Meanwhile Dusit Poll results released yesterday found that most people want Prayut to stay in power longer.

Of 1,249 people surveyed across the country, 76 per cent said reform should be implemented before an election to prevent conflicts after the ballot.

Asked how long the reform process should be before an election can be held, 36 per cent said two years, while 31 per cent said one year.