Joint statement on the referendum of the draft constitution

Joint statement on the referendum of the draft constitution

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

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