A joint statement is issued at a seminar on Monday and supported by 108 people and five organisations called for four points to be upheld by the military-led government.
As the Constitutional Drafting Commission chaired by Meechai Ruchuphan has released the draft constitution on March 29, the Election Commission has set the date for the referendum to be held on the draft constitution will be held on Aug 7 this year.
This referendum is significant as it will be an exercise of direct democratic power of the people to determine the future of the country regarding the political governance and the development approaches of the country in every aspect, both for the short and the long term. Therefore, the referendum shall be conducted in accordance with principles and standards that are acceptable internationally. The referendum must be regarded as legitimate and accepted by the people nationwide. Moreover, this referendum shall be part of the process that paves the way for the Thai society to develop sustainably in the democratic system of government.
With this statement, we, the undersigned, announce a shared vision on the principles on the referendum which we call upon all sectors in the Thai society to jointly put into effect these following points
1. The referendum must be conducted in a free, transparent, and fair manner in accordance with international principles and standards.
2. In the process towards the referendum, there must be open and inclusive debates, participated by those who agree and disagree with the content of the draft constitution. Voters must have access to accurate, comprehensive, and thorough information on the draft constitution, as well as, a safe and public space to voice their disagreements under the laws.
3. People have legitimate rights to freedom of expression and to voice their opinions constructively on the draft constitution which is the highest law of the country. Such basic political rights which shall be protected. Suppression on people’s rights to express their views on the draft constitution by using measures related to security, including taking people to detention in the name of attitude adjustment is not only a violation of basic human rights, but also delegitimises the referendum process as a whole.
4. Before the referendum is conducted, there must be clearly defined options for what happens in case the draft constitution does not pass the referendum, in order to reach a consensus on a constitution agreeable to all sides. People of all groups and all sides must be able to debate and to propose these options freely and constructively.
Signed on April 25, 2016
The undersigned
1. Mr Pairoj Polpetch
2. Prof Surichai Wankaew
3. Dr Paisit Panitkul
4. Asst Prof Anusorn Thamjai
5. Mr Sunai Setboonsarng
6. Mr Phakphum Withantirawat
7. Mr Srisuwan Janya
8. Dr Kritsada Boonchai
9. Dr Decharut Sukkumnoed
10. Dr Buntoon Srethasirote
11. Assoc Prof Dr Prapart Pintobtang
12. Dr Somnuck Jongmeewasin
13. Assoc Prof Dr Gothom Arya
14. Asst Prof Poom Moolsilp
15. Ms Rewadee Prasertcharoensuk
16. Dr Eakpant Pidavanija
17. Samana Daowdin (Pathawatto) Chaohinfah
18. Asst Prof Panor Asvarujanon
19. Mrs Soontree Hatthee Seng-king
20. Mrs Pornpat Pimpa
21. Dr Wasan Limchaloem
22. Mr Wiwat Tamee
23. Mr Kasit Piromya
24. Mr Kraisak Choonhavan
25. Mr Chaturon Chaisang
26. Mr Phongthep Thepkanjana
27. Dr Rachada Dhnadirek
28. Mr Wan Muhamad Noor Matha
29. Mr Satit Pitutacha
30. Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan
31. Mr Somsak Prissananantakul
32. Mr Suranand Vejjajiva
33. Gp Capt Anudith Nakornthap
34. Mr Boonlert Kachayuthadej
35. Dr Niran Pitakwatchara
36. Mr Pongpat Wattanapongsiri
37. Mr Chumpol Aunphattanasilp
38. Mr Watcharapol Yongvanich
39. Dr Voradej Chandarasorn
40. Mr Thongchat Rattanawicha
41. Mr Ditpichet Suwanpho
42. Mr Anont Petchpuang
43. Dr Smithirak Jantarak
44. Mr Chetta Puanghut
45. Asst Prof Vinai Poncharoen
46. Ms Lamyong Tiasakul
47. Dr Thanapauge Chamaratana
48. Ms Patama Subkhampang
49. Ms Isaraporn Pitsa-ard
50. Mrs Thippaporn Tantisunthorn
51. Mr Preeda Tiasuwan
52. Mrs Preeda Kongpaen
53. Mr Koddaree Binsen
54. Mrs Oraya Sutabutr
55. Asst Prof Suthin Wianwiwat
56. Prof Dr Boonthan Dokthaisong
57. Pol Col Manus Sattrulee
58. Dr Jessada Noppakun Tangchitnob
59. Dr Poowanida Kunpalin
60. Mr Chavalit Vichayasut
61. Mr Moncheep Sivasinangkul
62. Mr Duangrit Bunnag
63. Assoc Prof Chantana Banpasirichote Wankaew
64. Mrs Sunee Chairos
65. Assoc Prof Malee Prukpongsawalee
66. Mr Somboon Khamhang
67. Mr Chamroon Suaydee
68. Mr Anan Chantarapirom
69. Mr Akanit Pongphai
70. Mr Pasit Saengchamnong
71. Dr Permsak Makarabhirom
72. Mr Nutthawut Uppa
73. Mr Boonyean Wongsa-nguan
74. Mr Prasit Bungmum
75. Mr Praween Chulabhakdi
76. Ms Theerada Namhai
77. Mr Chumporn Polrak
78. Mr Chartchai (Thatchapong) Kaedam
79. Mr Apisit Sapnapapan
80. Ms Chanoknan Ruamsap
81. Mr Worawut Butrmatr
82. Mr Pakorn Areekul
83. Mr Akkarapon Teeptaisong
84. Mr Thiwat Damkaew
85. Mrs Sodsri Sattayatham
86. Prof Dr Likhit Dhiravegin
87. Ms Jaranporn Lertsahakul
88. Mr Wit Pimkanchanapong
89. Mr Prasarn Marukpitak
90. Mr Somchai Homlaor
91. Mrs Pairat Chanthong
92. Mr Manop Sanit
93. Mr Prapot Srithet
94. Mr Surachai Trong-ngam
95. Mr Panjasak Boon-ngam
96. Mr Sura Kaewkohsaba
97. Ms Chonthicha Jaengrew
98. Mr Luk Kettad
99. Mr Fuadi Pitsuwan
100. Mrs Prateep Ungsongtham Hata
101. Mr Jon Ungpakorn
102. Mr Somkiat Boonchoo
103. Mr Udom Puasakul
104. Prof Dr Surachart Bamrungsuk
105. Dr Khunying Kalaya Sophonpanich
106. Mr Poomsan Seneewong Na Ayutthaya
107. Mr Paiboon Panja
108. Mr Nuachai Jiraapirak
List of Organisations
1. People’s Health System Movement
2. Committee of the Relatives of the May 1992 Heroes
3. Cross Cultural Foundation
4. Human Rights and Development Foundation
5. Union for Civil Liberty