<p>The resounding rejection of the junta-sponsored constitution by the Muslim majority in the restive Deep South reflects people’s attitudes towards the legitimacy of the military regime and disapproval of the draft charter. Experts point out both the regime and the charter are viewed as threats against the region’s unique ethno-religious identity.</p> <p></p>

<p>The Thai junta premier welcomed the draft charter referendum result, saying the referendum was open and transparent and pointed out that Thailand’s foreign allies have intervened in its political transition.</p>

<p>The Thai junta leader issued an order to suspend public officials suspected of involvement in documents campaigning against the junta-sponsored draft constitution.</p> <p>The website of the Royal Gazette on Tuesday, 26 July 2016, published&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2559/E/164/10.PDF">the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Head’s Order No. 44/2016</a>.</p> <p>The order suspends any public officials and local public administrators allegedly involved in anti-draft constitution letters from their posts.</p>

<p>As news of the foiled coup d’état in Turkey triggered new waves of criticism against the Thai junta, the Thai military regime said that comparing Thailand with Turkey is not ‘creative’ because Thailand is unique.</p>

<p>As the referendum on the junta-sponsored draft charter draws near, the Thai junta leader has given power to a national media regulator to close down media critical of the regime without any accountability. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>The Royal Gazette website on Thursday, 13 July 2016, published the latest order of the Thai junta,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2559/E/158/24.PDF">the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Head’s Order No. 41/2016</a>.</p>

<p>The junta head has reversed his earlier statement that he will draft another constitution himself if the August referendum fails, saying that it was just a slip of the tongue. He also blamed the media for highlighting his thoughtless words and putting him out of temper.<br /></p>

<p>Despite his lack of legal knowledge, the junta leader has said that he will draft another constitution himself if the draft charter is rejected in the August referendum, adding that there is nothing he cannot do as he already passed parachute training in the military.&nbsp;<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Local people are to be evicted in the name of development, as the Thai junta invokes its absolute power to clear land for the benefit of big businesses.</p> <p></p>

<div> <div>The head of Thailand’s ruling junta has said that, unlike David Cameron, he will remain in power even if the August referendum rejects the constitution his administration has had drafted. </div></div>

<p>Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, has retracted his earlier statement allowing the anti-establishment red shirts’ referendum watch centres, and declared that opening such centres is prohibited.</p>

<p>A Thai Election Commissioner has said that those involved in the production of a well-known Facebook page featuring a music video on the referendum might be prosecuted, alleging that the song is rude.</p> <p>Somchai Srisuthiyakorn of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT), on Wednesday, 8 June 2016, announced that the ECT will investigate a music video about the referendum on the junta-sponsored draft constitution as it might violate the Referendum Act,<a href="http://www.matichon.co.th/news/164901"> Matichon Online</a> reported.</p>