Referendum, really a piece of cake?

Published: 28 Dec 2012 at 11.30
Online news: Opinion

"A piece of cake!" a confident former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra told his adoring red-shirt followers when he described how easy it would be to get the people's approval in the planned referendum on rewriting the entire constitution during his video-linked address at Khao Yai last weekend.

In fact, Thaksin used the Thai term "moo-moo" (pig-pig) in reference to getting the 24 million to 25 million voters who must cast ballots in the referendum for approval for a total charter rewrite. It refers to being easily lead.

Probably due to a lack of communication, Thaksin's wish for the referendum to go ahead caught the co-leaders of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) with their pants down. Jatuporn Prompan, one of the red-shirt key leaders, told the crowd not long before Thaksin chipped in that the UDD would pressure the government to ram the constitutional amendment bill through the third reading of the parliament.

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geoffo
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Discussion 7 : 28 Dec 2012 at 17.517
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Isn't this the last roll of the dice for TS.In the latest popularity poll he trailed everyone. Another failed return attempt that comes with a two billion taxpayer bill on top of the emergence of true costs for the rice scheme has to spell the end of his run.

IMO a failure means he will be damaged goods, very much yesterdays man and looking rather pathetic like an old rock and roll singer who stayed on tour too long.
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dao
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Discussion 6 : 28 Dec 2012 at 17.356
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It basically comes down to pardoning a fugitive so he can pick up where he left off .This will open the doors for corruption like we have never seen it .It doesn't take a genius to understand why leaders must be honest .
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whatajoke
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Discussion 5 : 28 Dec 2012 at 17.335
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It seems that the correct question for the referendum should be 'Do you believe the present mandated constitution is bad enough that it needs re-writing in its entirety?' Simple as that, for a cool 2 billion baht we will finally get the answer to the universe according to Thai politics. Then we can move, anything else will simply be an exercise in being devious.
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bangkokbob
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Discussion 4 : 28 Dec 2012 at 17.014
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@d1: That's not true. The generals said they would leave after one year. They never never said during the referendum on the 2007 constitution that they would not give up power if voters did not vote yes for the charter. Stick to the facts, please.
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genii
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Discussion 3 : 28 Dec 2012 at 17.013
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Back to the charter itself, is it that bad, really that undemocratic or dictatorial. Many people believe that the 2006 coup and all after was and has been about Thaksin and it has been a very good excuse but the fact is the 2006 coup was all about getting control of the constitution. Why do you think the first thing they did was tear up the 1997 and install their version which we have today. A lock on all branches of government except the one they cannot touch plus control of courts, judges, laws. They would let Thaksin back before you change the constitution.
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musashi
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Discussion 2 : 28 Dec 2012 at 16.342
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"..they can always fall back to amending the charter .."

The aim of holding the referendum is not to get 24 million voters to caste their votes. It is to encourage the public to support the rectification of "the 2007 charter was effectively forced on the country by a military junta which gave citizens a Hobson's choice." (http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/326055/pursue-charter-middle-ground)

"..serve as a counterbalance to abuses by politicians."

What are the mechanisms to counterbalance abuses by non-elected (appointed) senators?
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onlyasking
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Discussion 1 : 28 Dec 2012 at 15.141
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"But it was approved by a referendum". Although this is true it doesn't reflect the whole situation at the time. Thai's had the option to approve the 2007 constitution or stay under military rule, not much of a choice was it.
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Referendum, really a piece of cake? | Bangkok Post: opinion