webfact Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 Thai deputy PM sets July 31 vote on charter, 2017 electionBANGKOK (AP) — A referendum on a new Thai constitution will be held July 31 and will be followed by a general election before the end of next year, whether or not the new charter is approved, the deputy prime minister of the military government said Thursday.Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon told reporters that the government has a plan ready for the election if the charter is rejected, though he did not give details. His remarks echoed recent comments by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and other key officials, who have come under pressure to commit to a date after an initial draft constitution was rejected last year by the interim legislature and the promised election postponed.The government has said that criticism of the proposed new charter will be restricted, while soldiers will be deployed to explain its benefits to citizens.A new draft constitution was recently unveiled and has drawn criticism for being undemocratic and reserving too much power for the military.Prayuth staged a coup against an elected government in May 2014 when he was army commander, saying it was necessary to restore calm because of sometimes-violent political unrest. But critics of Prayuth's junta believe it is mainly seeking to cripple one political faction, that of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 coup. Thaksin's electoral popularity challenged the power of the country's traditional ruling class, which includes the military.The junta has generally equated criticism of its actions with incitement to unrest and instability.Asked about opposition to the draft charter, Prawit said: "If it is 100 percent democratic and there are people protesting on the streets, that would prevent the country from moving forward. How would that be helpful? I confirm that we will have an election in the year 2017, that's for sure."-- (c) Associated Press 2016-02-12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaywalker Posted February 11, 2016 Share Posted February 11, 2016 I confirm that Prayut will get 'elected' with 99% of the vote. That's for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailand Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I confirm that Prayut will get 'elected' with 99% of the vote. That's for sure. So low? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SABloke Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I confirm that Prayut will get 'elected' with 99% of the vote. That's for sure. So low? I think it will be closer to the 110% mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MZurf Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 "But critics of Prayuth's junta believe it is mainly seeking to cripple one political faction, that of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 coup. Thaksin's electoral popularity challenged the power of the country's traditional ruling class, which includes the military." Well, the critics are right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nbarch Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 To save a lot of time, besides announcing the referendum and election date they could also have announced the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Loh Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 The elites are done supporting this government and they ordered the election next year to stop the rot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob12345 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I expect they will postpone the referendum for 2 months till September 31. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogo51 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 election in 2017 - only joking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srikcir Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 "If it is 100 percent democratic and there are people protesting on the streets, that would prevent the country from moving forward. How would that be helpful?" Thus missing the whole concept of democracy. Thank you Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon for misunderstanding democracy 100 per cent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbthailand Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 general election before the end of next year, whether or not the new charter is approved, the deputy prime minister of the military government said Thursday. Whether or not... What ever happened to "reforms before elections"? or was that just a lot of hot air??????? e-hem, ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbthailand Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Prayuth staged a coup against an elected government in May 2014 when he was army commander, saying it was necessary to restore calm because of sometimes-violent political unrest. I think the people of Thailand need to stage a coup against the military "government" because they are a bunch of bumbling, undemocratic morons who are trying to institutionalize their power to rule the country for themselves and they will drive Thailand into the ground with their greed and incompetence... Just sayin' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bark Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 I confirm that Prayut will get 'elected' with 99% of the vote. That's for sure. And the other 1 % will be sent for re-education. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trainman34014 Posted February 12, 2016 Share Posted February 12, 2016 Watch this space later for details of why the election can't take place in 2017 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.