The majority of voters across Thailand approved a junta-backed new draft constitution and an additional question in Sunday’s referendum, paving the way for the formation of a civilian government supported by the military.
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“With more than 90 percent of the vote counted, the Thai election commission says roughly 60 percent of those who cast ballots voted for the new constitution while roughly 37 percent voted against it”, he says. There are 50 million eligible voters and the Election Commission is targeting a turnout of 80%.
The junta – led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired army general – seized power in 2014 after years of clashes between political factions.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives at a cabinet meeting at government house in Bangkok, Thailand August 9, 2016.
The prime minister brushed aside criticism from foreign media against the referendum, saying that if the majority of the Thai people approved the draft charter in the referendum “then it was OK” and there is no need for him to make any clarification which, he noted, is the responsibility of the Foreign Ministry. The popular King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88, has been hospitalized for more than a year, and analysts say the military sees its role as ensuring stability as the country prepares for the expected succession of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn.
Once formally adopted, it will allow for a junta-appointed senate – including six seats reserved for military commanders. This, hopefully, will pave the way for elections and a return to civilian rule next year.
“I’m not surprised at the result of the referendum because there was no chance to show opinions or debate the constitution fully”, Yingluck said in a Twitter post on Monday.
A deadlock in the 500-member elected lower house could trigger a selection of a prime minister who is not an elected member of parliament.
“If you say “yes” to the constitution. you also give legitimacy to the coup, to the coup makers”, said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an associate professor at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies of Kyoto University.
Yingluck, who was banned from politics for five years in January 2015 after a military-appointed legislature found her guilty of mismanaging a rice scheme, also voted on Sunday.
The military says their new constitution will curb endemic political corruption and bring stability after the dizzying merry-go-round of recent years.
“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. “I am sad and disappointed for a country that is going to step backward by using a constitution that looks democratic but in fact is not real democracy”. Thailand has issued 19 constitutions since a constitutional monarchy replaced an absolute one in 1932.
The Shinawatra clan has won all general elections since 2001, harvesting votes by promising greater wealth and opportunity to the rural poor. Leading the other side is Thailand’s traditional ruling class and royalists – known as the Yellow Shirts – unnerved by Thaksin’s support, especially as it contemplates the country’s future. He has lived overseas since 2008 to avoid prison for a corruption conviction that he says was politically motivated. Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted as prime minister in a coup in 2006 and his sister Yingluck’s government was toppled by Prayuth in 2014.
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The proposed constitution was created to shift the balance of power away from major political parties and give a greater voice to medium-size parties under a new formula for awarding seats in the parliament.
