Thai voters overwhelmingly approve military junta-backed constitution
BANGKOK — Thais voted overwhelmingly Sunday to approve a new constitution that critics warn will weaken democracy and entrench extraordinary powers for the ruling military junta.
Thailand’s Election Commission reported with 94% of the votes counted, 61% favored the constitution drafted by the military, while 39% opposed it.
Voter turnout, however, was lower than predicted. The Election Commission expected 40 million voters, or 80% of the electorate, but results indicate a turnout of far less than 30 million.
The new constitution sets the stage for a general election in 2017, which would be the country’s first since 2011. The military seized power in a coup in May 2014 and has ruled the country since then, exercising broad powers over policy-making while suspending civil liberties and stifling dissent.
While approval of the constitution will lead to re-installing an elected government, it will be significantly weaker than before the coup. The military will hold onto a great deal of political power, including the direct appointment of a 250-member Senate.
Another provision, also approved by the voters, could allow for an unelected prime minister by letting the appointed Senate participate in the selection process.
Supporters of the constitution say it will stabilize Thailand’s fractious politics and root out corruption in government. Senior members of both of Thailand's major political parties, Pheu Thai and the Democrat Party — traditionally opponents — expressed dissatisfaction with the constitution, claiming it would prolong the junta’s grip on power.
This is the 20th constitution for Thailand since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, underscoring the political volatility in Thailand, which has seen a dozen successful military coups and several other attempted takeovers.
Public debate ahead of Sunday's vote was suppressed, with dozens of people arrested in a government clampdown on criticism of the new charter. In one sweep at the end of July, 11 people were taken into custody for distributing letters critical of the draft constitution. They will face a military tribunal and, if convicted, could be sentenced for up to seven years in prison.
The overall referendum process was criticized by rights groups. Amnesty International issued a statement Friday, condemning “a backdrop of pervasive human rights violations that have created a chilling climate.”
“If people cannot speak their minds freely or take part in political activities without fear, how can they meaningfully engage in this referendum?” said Josef Benedict, Amnesty International’s deputy director for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Verapat Pariyawong, a Thai legal expert and visiting scholar at SOAS, University of London, said Sunday's vote doesn’t signal a strong public approval of the constitution itself, but a desire by the public to move the political process forward and hasten the arrival of the next election.
“I don’t think the Thai people have much choice but to do what they think is best in order to get out of this situation,” he said. “People are voting to get out of this climate of fear and this climate of oppression. It’s not really a genuine democratic exercise for the Thai people.”