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Re: Protests update
Thailand’s Referendum Is Only the Start of a Long Struggle for the Country’s Student Activists
Charlie Campbell / Bangkok @charliecamp6ell Aug. 5, 2016
Striding into a Bangkok Starbucks wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “I Love Gen. Prayuth,” referring to Thailand’s cantankerous junta chief, Rackchart Wong-Arthichart doesn’t seem your typical student democracy activist. But then he points out a pair of crossed fingers printed on the back. “I designed it myself,” he grins. “We mainly do satirical campaigns against the military government.”... (read more).... http://time.com/4440250/thailand-dem...on-referendum/
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Re: Protests update
PART I: From rice fields to rebellion: Untold stories of Northeastern Thailand’s armed struggle
Posted on 08/07/2016 by The Isaan Record
Today, 40 million Thais are called to cast their votes in a referendum on a military-backed constitution, which many say will weaken the country’s democratic system and entrench the generals’ influence over politics. On the same day in 1965, a violent incident in the Northeast led thousands of farmers to take up arms against the military-ruled state that had promised a new constitution for years.... (read more)... http://isaanrecord.com/2016/08/07/pa...-to-rebellion/
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Re: Protests update
Thai referendum with 57% reporting. Yes, 61%, No 38%
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Re: Protests update
85% now reporting, 58% yes, 41% no. Apparently the turnout was about 53%
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Re: Protests update
RETURNS SHOW LANDSLIDE WIN FOR JUNTA IN CHARTER POLL
By Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter - August 7, 2016
BANGKOK — Preliminary results suggest the new constitution drafted by the military regime is set to be passed by a huge margin in Sunday’s referendum.... (read more)...
http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politi...-charter-poll/
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Re: Protests update
‘Yes Vote’ claims victory in August referendum
Submitted by editor4 on Sun, 07/08/2016
Initial projections for Thailand’s August 2016 referendum predict that the military-backed draft constitution will be accepted by a safe majority.... (read more)... http://prachatai.org/english/node/6452
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Re: Protests update
I don't believe a Yes vote is much of a surprise to anyone.
It'll be interesting to see what the next couple years brings for Thailand.
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Re: Protests update
Thailand votes by public referendum - to make its government even less accountable to the people
Opposition parties were banned from campaigning against it
August 7, 2016
Vijay Joshi, Natnicha Chuwiruch
Thai voters have overwhelmingly approved a new junta-backed constitution that lays the foundation for a civilian government influenced by the military and controlled by appointed — rather than elected — officials....(read more)... http://www.independent.co.uk/news/wo...-a7177526.html
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Re: Protests update
PART II: From rice fields to rebellion: Untold stories of Northeastern Thailand’s armed struggle
Posted on 08/08/2016 by The Isaan Record
From Rebels to Thai National Development Partners
Thousands of Communists insurgents and their families came marching out of the forests when hopes for the revolution were shattered. But unlike the left-wing students who were allowed to continue their studies in Bangkok when they gave up their rebellion, many Northeastern Communists had no lives to return to. Others had often occupied their families’ lands, or they were too ashamed of their defeat to return to their home villages.
The CPT fighters were greeted by speeches, television cameras and free meals provided by the state....(read more)... http://isaanrecord.com/2016/08/08/pa...rmed-struggle/
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Re: Protests update
August 8, 2016
Commentary
Thitinan Pongsudhirak -- The conundrum of Thailand's resounding referendum result
Officials count votes on Sunday evening Aug. 7 after Thailand's referendum on a new constitution. (Photo by Keiichiro Asahara)
The overwhelmingly favorable result of Thailand's second-ever referendum has much deeper and wider significance than as a mere verdict on a military-backed constitution. Thailand's ruling generals under the National Council for Peace and Order, who seized power in May 2014, can now claim a semblance of legitimacy because the constitutional referendum was partly a people's judgment on their putsch and performance in government since then.... (read more)...
http://asia.nikkei.com/Features/Thai...form=hootsuite