Thailand refuses UN observation at draft charter referendum
Thailand has no intention to have United Nations observers at its upcoming referendum on the draft constitution, stated Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
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| Red Shirts demonstration in Bangkok |
He also said that international observers would be invited to the next general election slated for 2017.
On June 21, the UN announced its readiness to support Thailand in this turning point to facilitate a quick return to democracy while underscoring the importance of an open and inclusive debate ahead of the referendum.
The announcement came following a phone conversation between UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on the local political moves of the Southeast Asian nation.
On March 29, the Constitution Drafting Commission released the draft charter, which contains 105 pages and 279 articles and is expected to solve a decade-long political crisis in Thailand.
Thai people will go to the poll on August 7 to vote on the draft.
