Defiant NDM group to launch new document against charter draft

In the face of intense pressure from authorities, the anti-junta group has insisted on continuing its very active campaign against the charter draft in the run-up to the August 7 referendum on the draft. Last Thursday, authorities ruled that some of the group’s previously-publicised printed material was illegal.

“Some of our materials have been the subject of debate and they [authorities] say it violates the referendum law. Still, we will keep moving against the constitution draft,” NDM key member Rangsiman Rome said yesterday. 

“And we have come up with a new document which will be launched [today]. It’s just a few weeks before the referendum.”

Election Commission member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn and the Constitution Drafting Commission said on Thursday that NDM’s booklet “Seven Reasons to Reject the Charter” violated Article 61 of the referendum law and recommended that the group stop disseminating the content or face a punishment of up to 10 years in prison, a fine of up to Bt200,000 or both.

Asked whether he had any concerns, Rangsiman said there was nothing left for him to worry about because he had already learned everything. However, he is afraid that the state’s measures against the NDM will hurt the public.

“Instead of just banning our booklet or leaflet, they should argue why our information is inaccurate,” he said. “They can exchange their views with ours constructively so that the people could listen and decide which side to take or how to vote in the referendum.”

As the August 7 referendum approaches, both supporters and opponents of the draft are attempting to persuade voters how to vote. Since last week, there have been several reports of the dissemination of a false constitution and anti-charter letters, which has been of concern to authorities.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam remarked yesterday that the anti-charter documents could not influence voters.

“I believe now people have already decided how they are going to vote, though many haven’t read or even received the draft,” he said.

Wissanu also did not express concern that a low voter turnout for the referendum could affect the legitimacy of the vote. “Even if the margin is just a few thousands, winning is winning,” he added. 

In a related development, ambassadors of all 20 country member states of the European Union, together with the United States and Canada, jointly endorsed a statement on Friday calling for an open discussion on the charter draft before the referendum takes place.

National Council for Peace and Order spokesman Colonel Piyapong Klinphan said the international community understood the current circumstance in Thailand and that keeping peace and order was necessary.

He insisted that the NCPO had done nothing to infringe on the rights and freedom of the people. Rather, authorities have only tried to fulfil their tasks in accordance with the law, he added.

The NCPO allows free movement and expression so long as it is legal, Piyapong stressed.

He said the pressure being applied on Thailand by the international community could be the result of countries receiving inaccurate information about the situation in the Kingdom, adding that it was not difficult to correct that.