Analysts say a desire for greater political stability drove Sunday’s “yes” vote, with 61 percent in favour, preliminary results show, from among a voter turnout of about 55 percent.
Advertisement
Thais handed the junta of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha a convincing victory in Sunday’s referendum on a military-backed constitution, rejected by both major political parties because it would restrict future democracy.
But critics say the charter will augment military power and straitjacket elected officials. “They will say the opposition can not say anything now”, said Pavin, who is Thai and a vocal critic of the junta.
Thailand has been rocked by more than a decade of political turmoil that has stunted growth, two military takeovers and deadly civil unrest.
The draft constitution’s approval means it will become the Southeast Asian country’s 20th charter since it transformed from absolute monarchy to democracy in 1932.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Monday also said an election will take place in 2017, confirming the timeline Prayuth laid out ahead of the referendum.
The charter “speaks to a lot of worries and concerns that a majority of Thai people have”, Gothom Areeya, a professor at Thailand’s Mahidol University, told the AP. “Many Thais want to see an end to corruption and the return of peace and development”.
The large overall proportion of “no” votes in Udon Thani came as a result of the strong influence of Pheu Thai from supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The referendum also asked the voters to vote on whether to allow the country’s Senate to jointly vote for Prime Minister along with the House of Representatives.
“Once the results are final.we urge Thai authorities to proceed with next steps to return Thailand to elected civilian-led government as soon as possible”, Trudeau said. “The constitution can be used as a device to hold onto political power”.
– 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.
Nakhon Ratchasima was among the exceptions because it is Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s hometown, as is Buri Ram, the political stronghold of the political powerhouse led by former Bhumjaithai Party key figure Newin Chidchob, who has always been an opponent of Pheu Thai.
– Emergency decrees enacted by the junta without any parliamentary consent remain valid. “We just hope that the government can do its best in the days to come”.
For more than a decade, Thailand has been divided between rival camps.
Thaksin’s political machine has easily won every national election since 2001, mainly due to the support of working-class and rural voters who benefited from his populist policies. Then he muttered, “She doesn’t love her own country”.
The army ousted Mr Thaksin in a 2006 coup, after “yellow shirt” protesters took to the streets and accused him of abuse of power, corruption and disrespecting the king.
Thaksin lives overseas to avoid a prison term for a corruption conviction, while Yingluck is on trial for alleged dereliction of duty involving a money losing rice-purchasing program.
There’s also the fact that the military government kept a tight lid on debate on the constitution, meaning many may not have realized it was flawed.
Advertisement
“People say we are caught in the middle income trap, but for the poor here they are a long way from middle income”, he said.
