Thai Government Calls for National Referendum

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The Thai government is calling for a national referendum that in essence asks the populace whether they wish for the current government to remain in office or step down. At the time of this writing there has been no reaction yet from the PAD. There is also no word at this point as to when such a referendum will take place or what the Samak government will actually do if the referendum is not favorable to them.

 

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

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Referendum on the Crisis

 

The government on Thursday approved an up-or-down national vote of confidence with a referendum that will ask every voting citizen the question: Do you want the government to continue in office?

 

Minister of Culture Somsak Kiatsuranond briefed the media on the proposal after the special cabinet meeting.

 

No date has been set for the vote, approved only in principle by the cabinet. The Council of State is to work out a ballot question and details of the referendum.

 

He said the cabinet members see a referendum that asks several questions - even giving voters an opportunity to comment on the ongoing political crisis and standoff in Bangkok. Questions might include whether voters approve of the government, want it to resign, or favour a new election.

 

"Prime Minister Samak (Sundaravej) sees this as the best solution," said Mr Somsak.

 

The ballot will ask one simple question, whether voters want the government to stay in power, Mr Somsak said.

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The following appears in THE NATION:

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Referendum Under Attack

 

By The Nation

Published on September 5, 2008

 

The government's call for a referendum to end the ongoing political strife has met with stiff resistance, with almost all concerned parties saying it was unconstitutional and merely a delaying tactic.

 

Opposition chief whip Sathit Wongnongtoey said any referendum to specific individuals or groups ran counter to Article 165 of the Constitution.

 

"It's simply a tactic to buy some time," he said.

 

The Cabinet decided yesterday to hold a national referendum as a way out of the political deadlock between the government and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

 

Sathit said he was doubtful as to whether a referendum could help end the political unrest, since everything depended on the wording of the proposition. Biased questions would lead to an unfair outcome.

 

He also expressed concern that tensions could spiral out of control before any referendum could be held.

 

Samak is already a lame duck who should realize he has run out of options and must leave before he inflicts any more damage on the country, Sathit said.

 

To conduct a referendum, the government needs the referendum bill that is still pending before the Senate.

 

A date for the referendum is expected next month after the Senate passes the bill, said Government Spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat.

 

Senate Speaker Prasobsook Boondech said he opposed a referendum, saying it would be held too late. The Senate will hold its first reading today on the referendum bill, and the entire process will take at least a month, he said.

 

"We cannot wait for the bill. The present crisis requires immediate action to end it as soon as possible," the Speaker said.

 

He said he hoped a crucial meeting today between House Speaker Chai Chidchob, Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and himself to plan a joint session of Parliament for a debate on the political crisis would ease the tension.

 

Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, rector of the National Institute for Development Administration, said a referendum could not solve the crisis. The PAD probably would not accept the result, because it would have to be conducted under government mechanisms, he said.

 

PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk said his group would not accept a referendum, because it was unconstitutional. It is wrong to conduct a referendum on whether the government should stay or go.

 

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej held an urgent meeting of his ministers at Supreme Command Headquarters at 10.30am yesterday. This followed a radio address in which he asked the people to help chart the country's future by deciding whether to safeguard democracy or opt for the "new politics" advanced by the PAD and which he said would have dire consequences.

 

Somsak Prissanananthakul, deputy Chart Thai Party leader and agriculture minister, proposed the idea to the Cabinet.

 

"We should let the people decide whether they want the PAD's 'new politics' or an elected government," Somsak said.

 

However, there is no clear referendum format. The Cabinet has instructed the Council of State to sort out pertinent legal issues to pave the way for the referendum. Under prescribed procedures, the Election Commission (EC) will be in charge of the voting.

 

All six coalition parties have pinned their hopes on the referendum to end the crisis.

 

Two Cabinet members, Culture Minister Somsak Kiartsuranont and Science Minister Wutthipong Chaisang, said Prime Minister Samak was optimistic the outcome of the referendum would put politics back on course and allow the country to move on.

 

But in the lead-up to any referendum vote, uncertainty will likely persist. The PAD refuses to vacate Government House and has even threatened additional measures to oust Samak. The prime minister has vowed in turn to carry on with his job. With protesters occupying the seat of government, the Cabinet next Tuesday will begin a series of mobile meetings, starting in Udon Thani.

 

Meanwhile, EC member Sodsri Satayathum said the EC was ready to conduct the referendum but that the government should make the questions clear.

 

Questions like should an outsider be allowed to be prime minister or should MPs be 30-per-cent elected and 70-per-cent appointed are allowed. But ones like should the prime minister resign are unconstitutional, she said.