Politicians, academics and members of the civil society agreed at a panel discussion on Monday that the government should ease restrictions on political activities and free political expressions during the leadup to the August 7 referendum.
The panel discussion was jointly organized by Thai PBS, the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies of Mahidol University, iLAW and Women for Reform Movement and attended by academics and politicians.
Associate Professor Yutthaporn Issarachai of Sukhothai Thammathirat University said that political conflicts would stage a comeback if the draft charter and accompanied questions passed the referendum because people who are stakeholders are denied the right of participation through restriction on free expressions.
He suggested that restrictions should be eased to allow public participation through free political expressions.
Mrs Thida Thavornseth, a core member of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship the draft constitution should be put to use temporarily if it fails to survive the referendum and a charter drafting assembly be formed to write a new charter.
But former Pheu Thai party leader Chaturon Chaisaeng believes the draft charter will sail through the referendum and the NCPO is likely to cling on to power probably for the next 20 years.
Representatives of the civil society the ban on political gathering of more than five people has deprived the public’s right of participation in the charter writing and referendum processes.
Election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn called on all sectors of the Thai society to join in the discussions of the draft charter so that they can make informed voting in the referendum.
