Students hit the streets to explain road map

The students were from the army’s “ROTC Volunteer” project. Last Friday, they visited three communities – Choduk, Wongsawat and Police Sapha – in Samphanthawong district to invite people to cast votes in the upcoming referendum on the new charter draft.

After a short introduction course on fieldwork, the students now have to campaign to draw the public’s attention to the charter referendum scheduled in the end of July.

The students, however, did not appear to know much about the drafting.

“I have no idea about the draft and have not read it yet. I have heard there will be a draft ready for the public shortly before the referendum date,” said Nontawat Phooraya, an 18-year-old student.

The campaigners’ lack of understanding about the draft led many to question whether the training and the campaign were effective– and it remained to be seen whether the campaign would succeed. So far, no independent assessment had been made.

The campaign is aimed at boosting people’s awareness of the upcoming referendum by using the ROTC students as campaigners. Students have been taught recently about the referendum’s roadmap and controversial content in the draft in a newly designed training course.

From March to May, volunteer students will visit communities nationwide to encourage them to take part in the referendum. Before a visit, the Army will coordinate with community leaders as well as concerned parties such as village headmen and abbots in local temples. As a result, the caravans are well received with community leaders escorting students to each household and ensuring |security.

In Bangkok, the volunteer group stopped at occupied residences. 

Speaking loudly in the hope of grabbing the audience’s attention, students confidently asked residents to join the referendum, although they could not say for sure what the charter draft was about.

After a visit to each house, two students asked the audience to complete survey sheets requesting feedback about the ROTC Volunteer project and asking if they would vote in the referendum.

As anticipated, each community and family had different attitudes towards the campaign.

Some communities did not warmly welcome the volunteers, although they did not express their feelings aggressively.

“The villagers [in Choduk community] aren’t interested in politics much. They just live from hand to mouth,” said Sangthien Sunanta, president of the Choduk community organisation.

“To make an impact, the students had to visit the community and campaign frequently, not just come then go.

“Also bear in mind that each community is different, the visitors have to know stereotypes of each particular community. To approach them requires some psychological skills,” she said.

Another community leader from Wongsawat voiced a similar remark, saying communities had different lifestyles, which could be a challenge for the students.

“It is better to use TV ads for campaigning. People did not open the door. They live inside the houses and watch TV all day long,” said Vichien Kamolngarmpipat, president of the Wongsawat community organisation.