“All these interferences have inevitably led us to have contempt for the sentiments of those who claim to be “friends” of Thailand”, said the head of the junta. Thailand has been rocked by more than a decade of political turmoil that has stunted growth, two military takeovers and several rounds of often deadly street protests. The Thai Senate will consist of members who are all appointed by the military including six seats reserved for commanders.
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But critics say the charter will boost military power and limit the sway of elected officials. Officials said turnout was around 55 percent of the 50.2 million people eligible to vote, around the same as past such ballots. That number means that Thailand has changed constitutions on average every 4.2 years, about as frequently as other countries change governments. As a result, one can not even be sure as to how valid the official results are. This can barely be called a democracy, let alone a free one – and if history is any guide, this one will be short-lived.
“This is a hands-down convincing margin of approval for the military government”, he said. The military-drafted charter was put to a referendum on Sunday. Indeed many people were arrested.
With elections promised for next year, what Thailand really needs is for that momentary agreement to be transformed into more lasting co-operation in the interests of democracy. Nevertheless, the ruling military-backed Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) described the referendum as a major step on the way to a “fully functioning democracy”. The first draft was rejected internally a year ago.
In the run-up to the referendum, the junta banned political campaigning and any form of gatherings.
Asked to comment about the response from the Western governments, Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said: “It is their business to criticize”. The “no” vote was strong in the north of the country, the heartland of the deposed Pheu Thai party and its exiled leader, Thaksin Shinawatra. “Although many suspected that the new charter could undermine their previously held democratic rights, the perceived risk of greater political uncertainty and economic instability, if the constitution had been voted down, was far less appealing”, said John Garrett, Research Analyst Asia at the Economist Intelligence Unit. He said: “The military has been astute to capitalise and exploit this popular will against the political class”.
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This is a taboo topic in Thailand, but everyone here knows they will have to confront a future without the king soon. Before [the NCPO] had no popular mandate – they took power by force, and since then they’ve been running on empty. “This is going to give the junta a signal to go full steam ahead for elections next year. They will feel confident from this vote about rolling out their plans for the transitional period”.
