Thais vote on new constitution that could dilute democracy

The Thai military said their new constitution will curb endemic political corruption and bring stability, but critics say it aims to neuter civilian politicians and tighten the hold of the military.

A man casts his referendum vote at a polling station in Thailand’s southern province of Narathiwat. Madaree Tohlala / AFP Photo

BANGKOK // Thais began voting on a military junta-crafted constitution on Sunday in a referendum where open debate has been banned, as opponents warned the document will perpetuate military power and deepen divisions.

The referendum offers Thais their first chance to vote since generals toppled the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014.

The kingdom is split after a decade of political turmoil that has dented growth, seen democracy shunted aside and left scores dead in rival street protests.

The military said their new constitution will curb endemic political corruption and bring stability, but critics say it aims to neuter civilian politicians and tighten the hold of the military.

Potchana Surapitic, 53, who voted for the constitution at a Bangkok polling station, said she was convinced the military’s promise to hold full elections next year was the country’s best chance for stability.

“I want the situation to return to normal and I want elections,” she said.

“But I also want a government that can manage the country, I don’t want it to be a vacuum like before.”

Preliminary results of the referendum are expected around 9pm (6pm UAE) on Sunday.

Election authorities have targeted an 80 per cent turn out but in the run-up to Sunday the referendum appeared to have garnered little public enthusiasm.

A low turn out is likely to favour the military, while a big showing from the Shinawatra’s northern heartlands could defeat the document.

Toppled premier Yingluck, whose party rejects the draft charter, urged Thais to participate in the poll.

“Today is a very important day for Thailand ... go and vote,” she said.

The main criticism of the draft constitution includes at least five-year transition to civilian rule and a 250-member appointed Senate that includes the commanders of the army and other security services. A deadlock in the 500-member elected lower house could trigger a selection of a prime minister who is not an elected member of parliament. Under the abolished 2007 constitution, half the senate was elected, and the prime minister had to come from the lower house.

Also, emergency decrees enacted by the junta without any parliamentary consent remain valid. So-called independent bodies, stacked with conservative appointees, would hold “disproportionately broad and unchecked powers” over elected politicians, said the international human rights consortium FIDH and the Union for Civil Liberty in Thailand.

“If you say `yes’ to the constitution, it means you agree with the content of the constitution ... what makes matters worse is you also give legitimacy to the coup, to the coup makers,” said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an associate professor at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies of Kyoto University in Japan.

Mr Pavin, a Thai and a vocal critic of the junta, said that a victory in the referendum would give the junta the reason to tell the world “don’t you dare criticise us anymore because we have the legitimacy.”

Even if Thais vote “no,” the military will remain in control for the foreseeable future. Prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired army general, has promised to hold elections next year, without elaborating on how that would happen if voters reject the draft constitution.

Thailand has endured 13 successful military coups and 11 attempted takeovers since it replaced an absolute monarchy with a constitutional one in 1932. If passed, this would be Thailand’s 20th constitution.

* Agenices