Prawit denies soldiers told to vote 'yes'

Prawit denies soldiers told to vote 'yes'

Defence minister 'doesn't want PM job'

The province governor 'requested' that executives at Ubon Ratchathani University cancel a legal seminar on the constitution, and the school's directors rushed to quash the debate. (Image via ubu.ac.th)
The province governor 'requested' that executives at Ubon Ratchathani University cancel a legal seminar on the constitution, and the school's directors rushed to quash the debate. (Image via ubu.ac.th)

Soldiers nationwide are free to make their own decision at the referendum vote on the draft constitution on Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon says.

Gen Prawit, who is also Defence Minister, on Monday rejected a rumour that soldiers had been instructed to vote in favour of the draft.

He insisted that military personnel are allowed a free vote on the issue.

"There are no instructions whatsoever. Soldiers are allowed a free vote, based on their personal opinion," Gen Prawit said.

There is no need for the prime minister to step down in a show of responsibility if the draft charter is voted down, he said.

The draft was not drawn up by the government and the referendum was not the idea of the prime minister, but stipulated by the 2014 interim charter.

Gen Prawit also said the government will stick to the roadmap to hold an election next year regardless of the outcome of the referendum.

Responding to former foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul's recent comment that he supported Gen Prawit replacing Gen Prayut as premier if the draft charter is shot down in the referendum, Gen Prawit said he is not suited for the job and he had never thought of becoming prime minister.

"It's an absurd idea. Those who mentioned it must be held responsible," Gen Prawit said.

Also on Monday, Interior Ministry permanent secretary Grisada Boonrach said he instructed provincial governors and district chiefs to work on preventing "influential figures" from swaying voters.

Kamnan and village heads have been ordered to set up checkpoints in their communities to stop strangers from entering their areas to influence voters' decisions ahead of the big day.

Provincial governors and districts nationwide also have been instructed to work with the Election Commission (EC) to hold forums for the public to discuss the draft charter, Mr Grisada said, adding debates held around the country so far have proceeded smoothly.

The government has allowed open debate on the draft charter in all provinces ahead of the vote, hosted by provincial governors and EC officials.

Election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn, meanwhile, said the premier's weekly televised address does not violate the referendum law.

He was responding to Pheu Thai's observation that the premier might use his weekly talk show to influence voters on which way to cast their ballots.

Mr Somchai said Gen Prayut has relied on the address to talk about national administration and not coax voters into deciding one way or another.

Ubon Ratchathani governor Somsak Jangtrakun asked Ubon Ratchathani University executives to cancel a seminar on the referendum scheduled for Tuesday at the campus, according to Titipol Phakdeewanich, the university's political science faculty dean, who was to have been a moderator.

Panelists were to include former Pheu Thai education minister Chaturon Chaisaeng and former human rights commissioner Nirand Pitakwatchara.

"The NCPO [National Council for Peace and Order] said it has no objection to the discussions [about the draft charter] but the university and the province stepped in to raise concerns about the seminar being held on campus and question the neutrality of the event," said Mr Titipol.

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