Some background on events in 2007
Play
Re: "Referendum needed for charter change", Letters, January 21.
Vint Chavala is right when he states that the 2007 Constitution was approved in a referendum. What he omits to state is that the military were used to help with the campaign for a Yes vote.
During the lead-up to voting, a law was passed to make any criticism of, or objections to, the proposed Constitution a criminal act.
Voters were warned that, in the event of a No vote, the military government would then have the right to impose any constitution of their choosing.
This was hardly a “free and fair” environment in which to hold such an important vote. Just imagine the outrage if the current Government sought to hold a referendum under these conditions.
By the way, following Suthep Thaugsuban’s recent description of Prime Minister Yingluck as a “demon”, does Vint Chavala
still maintain that the protests are being guided by a spirit of ahimsa?
Robin Grant
Bangkok
