<p>The head of the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) has threatened legal action to quell criticism of the new draft constitution. </p>
<p>Thai News Agency on Monday, 8 February 2016, reported that Meechai Ruchuphan, President of the CDC, said that the CDC will meet to discuss possible legal action against people who distort facts to criticise the 2016 charter draft.</p>
By Kongpob Areerat |
<p>After years of fighting for rights over land and resources, communities living on disputed land or standing on the way of state megaprojects are to be left destitute under the new draft constitution written by the junta-appointed Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC).</p>
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By Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang |
<p dir="ltr">Rather than acting for the people, Thailand’s latest constitution drafting committee are the junta’s loyal servants, writes Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Thailand’s 1997 and 2007 constitutions both contained elaborate protections for the rights and freedoms of the people. The 2016 draft constitution represents a major overhaul in the in this area, often for worse. Meechai Ruchupan, the President of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), has chosen a different path from his predecessors.</p>
<p>The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the formal name of the Thai junta, has ordered academics to cancel a seminar about the draft constitution.</p>
<p>The Commander of the Royal Thai Army has announced that military students will be sent to stand at referendum polling stations to inform people about the draft constitution.</p>
<p>At the event to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the Territorial Defence Command (TDC) on Thursday, 4 February 2016, Gen Teerachai Nakwanich, Chief of the Royal Thai Army, said that Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), students, high school and college students undergoing military training, will be deployed at polling stations set up nationwide for the public referendum on the draft constitution.</p>
<p>The Election Commission of Thailand has proposed penalties for people who distort facts about the draft constitution while the Royal Thai Army says it will help promote a correct understanding. </p>