<p>After a series of arrests and the detention of junta opponents, activists across the country have come up with new tactics to campaign for fair play in the August referendum. Instead of hosting seminars, handing out flyers, and marching, they are using more creative non-violent protest methods like balloons, dolls, and cartoon figures.&nbsp;</p> <p></p>

<div> <div>The deputy junta head has said now is not a proper time to demand freedom of expression since the country is in a ‘transition period,’ adding that the arrests of the anti-junta activists were not human rights violations.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>On Wednesday, 29 June 2016, Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy junta head told the media that freedom of expression was not necessary for Thailand at this time since the country was in a so-called ‘transition period’, adding that the junta never suppressed discussion of the August referendum but everything must be done through the junta-provi </div></div>

<div> <div>Thai junta has just set a new standard of censorship after police officers confiscated anti-junta activists’ balloons and stickers campaigning for the right to campaign for the August referendum.&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>After seven student activists from the New Democracy Movement (NDM), a pro-democracy activist group, were arrested and later detained last week for handing out flyers campaigning to Vote No in the August referendum, they were visited by other NDM activists on Monday, 27 June 2016, at Bangkok Remand Prison, Matichon Online <a> </a></div></div>

<div>On 23 June 2016, students and a group of labor union board members campaigned around the Bang Phli Industrial Estate to disseminate information about the draft constitution and urge people to exercise their right to vote in the referendum. But soldiers and police interrupted and stopped them. They were arrested and accused of violating Head of the NCPO Order No. 3/2558 [2015] and the Referendum Act of B.E. 2559 [2016]. </div>

<p dir="ltr">The 13 activists arrested for campaigning about the draft charter referendum could face up to 10 years imprisonment for ‘Vote No’ campaign.</p> <p dir="ltr">Amid presence of pro-democracy crowd in front of the courthouse, the Military Court of Bangkok at around 6:30 pm on Friday, 24 June 2016, granted to the police the custody permission to detained 13 pro-democracy activists arrested for distributing ‘Vote No’ flyers to campaign for the upcoming draft constitution referendum.</p>

<div>We are concerned by the arrests of 13 activists in Thailand who were detained for defying a military order banning political gatherings of five or more people. Eight of those arrested on June 23 in Bang Plee Industrial Area in Samut Prakarn Province, south of Bangkok, were students affiliated with the New Democracy Movement (NDM). The three others were labour rights activists. At the time of their arrest, they were distributing leaflets related to the upcoming referendum on the draft Constitution. </div>

<p><strong><em>Update</em></strong><em>: Seven activists in total were arrested for commemorating the 84^thanniversary of the 1932 Siamese Revolution. Six are student activists from Ramkhamhaeng and Kasetsart University while another is Chanoknan Ruamsap, a youth activist from the New Democracy Movement (NDM). The police accused the seven of violating the junta’s ban on political gatherings and on Saturday will request permission from the Military Court to detain them. &nbsp; &nbsp;</em></p>

<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Update:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1123490757692319&amp;id=100000942179021&amp;pnref=story">Anon Nampa, human rights lawyer, reported at 9:20 am on Friday</a>, 24 June 2016, that the police refused to grant bail to some of the pro-democracy activists and filed an additional charge against the 13 activists for refusing to sign the police report.</em></p>

<div> <div>Pro-democracy activists and unionists have been arrested for distributing ‘vote no’ flyers to people at an industrial estate after the authorities asked them to stop the activity. </div></div>

<div>A flyer battle began when authorities attempted to prohibit pro-democracy activists from handing out flyers campaigning to ‘vote no’ in the August referendum while junta volunteers ‘explaining’ the draft constitution faced resistance from local people.</div> <h2>Pro-democracy activists allowed to distribute flyers for only 30 minutes</h2> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div> <div>On Wednesday, 22 June 2016, Rangsiman Rome, a leader of the New Democracy Movement (NDM), a pro-democracy activist group, together with another two members of the movement, handed out ‘vote no’ flyers to local people in Samrong D </div></div>

<p dir="ltr">Academics and human rights advocates have demanded the authorities to amend a controversial act barring people to freely criticise the junta-sponsored draft constitution, saying that opinions from all sides are crucial for the draft charter referendum.</p>

<p>Activists charged over Rajabhakti Park trip refuse to be tried by Military Court</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Embattled anti-junta activists charged with defying the Thai junta’s ban on political gatherings by organizing a field trip to Rajabhakti Park, the military’s royal theme park plagued with corruption allegations, have refused to be tried by a Military Court.</p>