Referendum cost ‘worthwhile’

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Referendum cost ‘worthwhile’

Published: 14 Dec 2012 at 11.50
Online news: Politics

A national referendum on constitutional amendment is necessary, even though it could cost as much as two billion baht, Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana said on Friday.

Mr Pongthep was responding to a proposal by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra that a referendum on charter changes should be held before the third reading of the constitutional amendment bill.

A national referendum would serve to creating confidence among the people that the charter changes would be carried out with their participation, he said.

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jgriff
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Discussion 6 : 15 Dec 2012 at 02.056
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A national referendum on constitutional amendment is necessary, even though it could cost as much as two billion baht, Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana said on Friday.

Not really. Just don't offer 500 baht for a yes vote. That should cut the cost in half. :
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spiceman
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Discussion 5 : 14 Dec 2012 at 19.005
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There is no need to waste 2 billion Baht as we can use the American process of amending the US Constitution. It takes a minimum of 3/4 of all the states to convene a constitutional convention. And if at least a "YE" vote from 3/4 of all the states is reached in favor of the proposed amendment, it will become the Law of the Land. The amendment process will take place in the US Senate. In Thailand, however, the House of Representative would do, and if 3/4 supermajority is reached in favor of the proposed amendment, we will have a new Constitution. The logic behind this is that 1/4 of the population will be too weak to start a civil war.
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waters
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Discussion 4 : 14 Dec 2012 at 14.304
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"It would help reduce political conflict,because the outcome would be acceptable to all parties as it would reflect the opinion of the majority of Thai people, he said."

That would be true if voters knew beforehand exactly what the government in power intends on amending in the present constitution. If they don't know what'll get changed then the results of the referendum will be meaningless. The minister of Education ought to know that!
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nui
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Discussion 3 : 14 Dec 2012 at 14.073
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First government and opposition parties have to explain to the public their point of views before a referendum can be held. A simple yes or no is not good enough, because many people are unaware what parts of the charter will be changed. And as the constitution court suggested , only parts step by step can be changed and not the whole charter. If the third reading goes ahead in parliament without referendum, there will be big protests in Thailand for sure.
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android
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Discussion 2 : 14 Dec 2012 at 13.402
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The national referendum is insisted by the dems, yellow PADs, multi-colour shirts, Pitak Siam group..... The 2 billion baht referendum cost is spent simply due to their hatred against thaksin.
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christhai
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Discussion 1 : 14 Dec 2012 at 13.351
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Absolutely necessary ! compare to the cost to stop Mr.Boonlerts intentions for a disaster.
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Referendum cost ‘worthwhile’ | Bangkok Post: news