Everybody can express views on charter draft: Wissanu

He made this comment after questions were raised about Suthep Thaugsuban, president of People’s Democratic Reform Foundation (PDRF), being allowed to hold a press conference on Tuesday to voice support for the draft charter. 

The red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) called on the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to also be allowed to make their stance against the draft charter known to the press. 

Wissanu said that since there were different groups in Thai society, each with different views on the draft charter, everybody should be allowed to express their thoughts. 

“We’re not gagging people as has been alleged,” Wissanu said, adding that the government was not forbidding any group or body from expressing their views on the draft charter, which will be decided upon in a national referendum.

However, Wissanu pointed out that shutting down streets or holding political activities was still not allowed as the government was still concerned that it could lead to political mayhem and divisions. He also denied that the government has been urging the National Reform Council (NRC) to reject the draft charter so it can prolong its stay in power. 

“No such signal has been sent. The prime minister has always said that everything will follow the roadmap. He cannot say anything else, even if he wants to,” he said, adding that the government will have to be prepared no matter what the result. 

Meanwhile, NCPO spokesman Colonel Winthai Suvari said the UDD had the right to seek permission to hold a press conference to express their opinions, just like Suthep did. However, the final decision would be in the hands of the NCPO, he said.