Embassies' referendum day warnings 'misinformed'

Embassies' referendum day warnings 'misinformed'

People gather at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok on Thursday to support the Election Commission's campaign encouraging people to vote in the charter referendum on Sunday.(Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
People gather at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok on Thursday to support the Election Commission's campaign encouraging people to vote in the charter referendum on Sunday.(Photo by Apichart Jinakul)

The government says foreign embassies' warnings to their citizens of possible unrest during the referendum are unwarranted and misinformed, but it is best if they stay away from polling stations on Sunday.

"The NCPO would like to explain that the information that was received and led to these warnings may not be correct, or some parties might have distorted it.  

"If the situation does not turn out to be so, the parties that issued these warnings may appear less credible," Col Piyapong Klinphan, spokesman for the National Council for Peace and Order, said on Thursday.

Despite the activities of proponents and opponents of the draft charter, the NCPO and the government were maintaining national order and had everything under control, he said.

"Thai people can handle internal issues by themselves, so we do not want to bother friendly countries now," Col Piyapong said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said it was best, however, if foreigners stay away from polling units during Sunday's referendum because they were not allowed to enter them or take selfie photos there.

It was right to issue such warnings, he said.

"Thailand is basically peaceful and people stay here comfortably, but some embassies are unaware of this," Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said. "Thailand is safer than many Western countries."

Safety advisories were issued by the embassies of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Myanmar, the United Kingdom and the United States.

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