by Weena Kowitwanij

Partial results from yesterday’s referendum indicate over 58.3% of votes in favour. In parishes after mass priests reminded voters of their “right and duty” to vote. The “no” vote wins in the North – East stronghold of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) –Thailand has chosen its 18th Constitution.  Over 58.3% of the electorate voted in favour of the text, drawn up by the army backed interim government, in the countries first constitutional referendum.  Yesterday, at the end of Sunday mass, in diverse Catholic parishes priests invited the faithful to turn up and vote.

 “The army is satisfied with the peoples welcome for the Constitution” commented Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, chief of the military forces and junta which deposed former premier Thaksin Shinawatra September last. In order to be officially promulgated the Constitution must now pass before King Bhumibol for approval.

 

Analysts however note that the results depict a deeply divided nation.  The exit polls – based on 93% of votes counted – also register strong opposition to the document in the North East of the country, the most populous and poorest region of the country.  Here “no” votes registered 63% of the vote.  Shinawatra’party,  Thai Rak Thai which led the country between 2001 and 2006 is hugely popular in the area. According to Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of Thailand's Institute of Security and International Studies, “this shows the strong polarization of the country”.

According to surveys, most people voted in favour of the new Constitution because they consider it an improvement on the 1997 charter, the last to be adopted; secondly because the want the promised general elections and a return to political stability in the country. The provisional government has slated December for the next national vote for a new government.

 

The new Constitution invites greater public participation in politics – claim the drafts authors – (it will be easier to propose laws, present petitions and remove ministers); greater freedom for public agencies; but it also gives greater power to politicians across the board, to the military and judiciary.  This last point is hotly contested by the opposition, who denounce the excessive influence of the military, bureaucrats and the judges to the detriment of the political parties and elected representatives.

 

• THAILAND
• REFERENDUM
• CONSTITUTION
• DEMOCRACY