Today's Voting

[mrsquirrel]

Two articles from Hemscott.com on Thailand and the constitution. Interesting reading.

Thai PM says vote will end crisis

BANGKOK, Thailand (Thomson Financial) - Thailand's army-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Sunday's referendum on a new constitution will steer the kingdom out of a political crisis that has dragged for more than a year.
Surayud, a former army chief, was appointed as prime minister after the military toppled the elected government of Thaksin Shinawatra in a coup last September.
The takeover came after months of protests against Thaksin, who was accused of widespread corruption while in office.


Surayud said the referendum would help pull the country out of that turmoil.
'This is an important decision that will get the country through the political crisis,' he told reporters after casting his ballot in Bangkok.
Thais were asked to approve a military-backed constitution, which the ruling junta says will guide the country toward elections that would restore democracy later this year.
If voters reject the charter, the ruling junta can impose one of Thailand's 17 previous charters and amend it as they please.
Asked if he had already chosen his favorite charter as a fallback, Surayud said the decision was in the hands of the ruling junta.
'Someone else will decide this for me,' he said.
Results are expected to be announced late Sunday.
afp/mb - mb

Main points of Thailand's draft constitution

BANGKOK, Thailand (Thomson Financial) - Thais voted Sunday for the first time since last year's coup, casting their ballots in a referendum on a military-backed constitution.
Following are the main points of the proposed new charter:
-- REPRESENTATION. The premier would be limited to eight years in office. The number of seats in the House of Representatives would be cut from 500 to 480. Senate seats would be cut from 200 to 150.


-- AMNESTY. The military would be granted amnesty for seizing power in last year's coup, which ousted the elected prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.
-- TRANSPARENCY. Politicians would be barred from holding a stake in media companies. The prime minister and his family would also be barred from holding major stakes in private companies.
Last year's coup came after months of street protests over a tax-free stock sale by Thaksin's family that netted them nearly two billion dollars.
-- IMPEACHMENT. An impeachment motion could be brought if 20,000 voters sign a petition. Constitutional amendments could be brought with 100,000 signatures.
Only 10,000 voters would need to sign a petition to sponsor a draft law.
afp/mb - mb

Military granted amnesty???

[dirtydog]

AMNESTY. The military would be granted amnesty for seizing power in last year's coup, which ousted the elected prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

hmmm, so part of the agreement is the military get let off for their crimes yet they still want toxin done for his crimes......

[Panda]

AMNESTY. The military would be granted amnesty for seizing power in last year's coup, which ousted the elected prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.

hmmm, so part of the agreement is the military get let off for their crimes yet they still want toxin done for his crimes......

Well, that's fair, -- if you happen to be the one making up the rules.

[AntRobertson]

Military granted amnesty???

Par for the course as these things go. It's to ensure that they won't be prosecuted if/when power is returned to a civilian Govt.

[watterinja]

So, the years ahead:

Elect new government along lines of new constitution;
New government:
- calls for new constitution - writes same;
- rescinds all laws enacted by military government;
- grants Thaksin & his cronies amnesty;
- calls for new elections;
New elections held
Thaksin's cronies get in;

... what next?

[baldrick]

Live Score of National Referendum 2007

Thai PM says military charter approved

Thai PM says military charter approved | The Australian

[keda]

Military granted amnesty???

Par for the course as these things go. It's to ensure that they won't be prosecuted if/when power is returned to a civilian Govt.

No need for amnesty, if the next government prosecutes the junta it would likely result in another coup.