2016 Thai constitutional referendum

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2016 Thai constitutional referendum
Flag of Thailand.svg
7 August 2016

1) Do you approve or disapprove of the draft constitution?

2) Do you approve that for contributing continuity of the country reform according to the national strategic plan, it should be stipulated in the Transitory Provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand that for the duration of 5 years from the first sitting of the National Assembly under this constitution; the joint sitting of the two chambers of the National Assembly shall convene to consider approving a person to be appointed as the Prime Minister? [1]
Draft constitution
For
61.35%
Against
38.65%
Election of the Prime Minister
For
58.07%
Against
41.93%
Voter turnout: 59.40%

Thai referendum 2016-en.svg
Results by province

A constitutional referendum was held in Thailand on 7 August 2016. The charter offered only semi-democracy and was seen to tighten military rule in Thailand. [2] However, it was approved by 61% of voters with a 59% turnout. A second proposal for the next prime minister to be jointly elected by senators and MPs was also approved. However, the opposition groups to the constitution were barred from formally campaigning against it by the military government, while the military government actively campaigned for its adoption.

Constitutional drafting

The primary difference between the 2016 constitution and the 2007 document was that the Senate would become a fully appointed chamber rather than a partially elected one during the 5 year "transitional period" stipulated in the charter. This was seen as an effort by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to retain influence once it has left office, as it will have the right to appoint the 250 members. [3] The Senate would also be granted veto power over the House of Representatives on amending the constitution, and a Prime Minister will be allowed to be appointed from outside either house.

Conduct

The NCPO banned criticism of the draft constitution and prohibited monitoring of the referendum. Activists against the document were arrested, detained, and prosecuted in military courts, [4] whilst voters who expressed their intention to vote against the draft were also arrested and prosecuted by the military regime. [5]

350,000 canvassers were scheduled to be trained by the Constitutional Drafting Committee to campaign for the constitution, approximately four per village. [6]

Opinion polls

Draft constitution

Fieldwork date(s)Polling firmSampleForAgainstUndecidedLead
25-26 April 2016 NIDA 1,50035.87%11.93%52.20%
10-11 May 2016 NIDA 1,50028.33%8.87%62.80%
23-24 May 2016 NIDA 1,50032.07%8.67%59.26%
6-7 June 2016 NIDA 1,50128.71%7.13%64.16%
20-21 June 2016 NIDA 1,50025.40%6.33%68.27%
28-29 June 2016 NIDA 1,50027.33%6.80%65.87%
5-6 July 2016 NIDA 1,50026.33%6.20%67.47%
12-13 July 2016 NIDA 1,50030.41%6.79%62.80%
20-21 July 2016 NIDA 1,50032.27%5.93%61.80%
25-26 July 2016 NIDA 1,50033.07%6.27%60.66%
2-6 August 2016 NIDA 5,84976.87%18.68%4.45%

Election of the prime minister

Fieldwork date(s)Polling firmSampleForAgainstUndecidedLead
25-26 April 2016 NIDA 1,50038.20%26.27%35.53%
10-11 May 2016 NIDA 1,50031.93%27.33%40.74%
23-24 May 2016 NIDA 1,50029.20%21.93%48.87%
6-7 June 2016 NIDA 1,50127.38%18.92%53.70%
20-21 June 2016 NIDA 1,50026.40%17.27%56.33%
28-29 June 2016 NIDA 1,50027.80%20.20%52.00%
5-6 July 2016 NIDA 1,50024.87%17.60%57.53%
12-13 July 2016 NIDA 1,50029.01%19.16%51.83%
20-21 July 2016 NIDA 1,50029.40%21.13%49.47%
25-26 July 2016 NIDA 1,50028.13%19.73%52.14%
2-6 August 2016 NIDA 5,84958.35%38.26%3.39%

Results

Turnout for the vote was at 59%. The vote was rejected in the pro-Thaksin Isan provinces and even more firmly in the three Muslim majority southern provinces. [7] The ‘Yes’ camp accounted for 61.4 per cent of the voter turn-out, while the ‘No’ faction could garner only 38.6 per cent, with 94 per cent of the votes counted on the day after. [8]

BBC reported that there are many cited reasons for the result, including repression on campaigning and criticizing the charter with only a few people that actually saw a copy. The drafters argued that it will address political corruption and help reform the country. Some trusted the military junta. Many voters were tired of endless political crisis and saw the charter as a way back to normality. [2]

QuestionForAgainstInvalid/
blank
TotalRegistered
voters
TurnoutOutcome
Votes%Votes%
Draft constitution16,820,40261.3510,598,03738.652,322,23829,740,67750,071,58959.40Approved
Election of the Prime Minister15,132,05058.0710,926,64841.933,681,979Approved
Source: Bangkok Post

By province

ProvinceDraft ConstitutionElection of the Prime MinisterInvalid/
blank
Total votesRegistered
voters
Turnout
ForAgainstForAgainst
Votes%Votes%Votes%Votes%
Ang Thong 70,95858.8449,64141.1663,37855.7450,32844.264,914131,503225,23158.39
Ayutthaya 216,27860.57140,80439.43195,62757.40145,17842.6014,380387,429632,90561.22
Bangkok 1,585,53369.22705,19530.781,482,72365.57778,72434.4336,3622,370,4774,450,22453.27
Chai Nat 93,96764.0552,73835.9582,99960.5554,07839.456,372161,692265,18360.97
Chachoengsao 204,13668.7992,61631.21185,92265.8596,44134.1510,494321,981540,44159.58
Chanthaburi 176,02974.7459,48525.26161,17171.4264,49228.587,918253,531412,68161.44
Chonburi 430,36176.45132,55423.55401,95773.46145,21526.5414,888595,6841,094,65454.42
Kanchanaburi 226,82568.71103,28831.29203,49664.98109,68335.0213,171360,497617,72558.36
Lopburi 205,61964.22114,52835.78183,27461.24116,01438.7613,533350,872593,47959.12
Rayong 221,19678.6859,93221.32203,82575.1067,58424.907,569298,788515,66957.94
Ratchaburi 291,47575.3895,21424.62264,29871.97102,91228.0315,335419,344663,87263.17
Nakhon Nayok 76,56670.6331,83929.3768,83567.4233,27132.584,179118,267203,24058.19
Nakhon Pathom 271,39468.64124,01831.36248,40065.40131,41034.6013,869425,499704,73460.37
Nonthaburi 343,77167.37166,49032.63318,60763.80180,79736.2010,629532,690946,38456.29
Pathum Thani 278,26562.93163,91837.07256,93059.61174,08640.3911,518467,712845,40355.32
Prachuap Khiri Khan 186,36182.9338,35517.07174,57580.1843,14119.826,877239,154403,30659.30
Prachinburi 148,56769.0166,70130.99133,65265.7269,70134.287,140232,939371,22162.75
Sa Kaeo 156,95571.1663,61728.84140,68967.6967,15532.317,289239,070416,86657.35
Saraburi 193,68663.2794,22436.73176,08564.4297,24135.5812,012314,015490,05964.08
Samut Prakan 318,57165.50167,79834.50294,35562.15179,28037.8512,353513,725987,59752.02
Samut Sakhon 152,46572.0559,15927.95140,90168.8363,80631.177,031226,285405,57155.79
Samut Songkhram 62,94877.4018,38522.6057,81074.1020,21025.903,27788,744156,06656.86
Sing Buri 56,44658.6239,84041.3850,51055.5940,35944.4112,012314,015490,05964.08
Suphan Buri 223,11460.81143,79839.19198,54757.47146,93742.5314,294400,013668,90459.80
Trat 72,46979.4118,79020.5966,24575.7321,22924.273,01998,585169,00458.33
Central Region 6,551,37069.432,883,90730.576,017,60866.093,087,16533.91274,80010,050,98217,580,47057.17
Chumphon 208,06890.0423,0049.96196,29387.5128,02312.495,347244,052388,20362.87
Krabi 161,52083.9930,78716.015,086205,052330,77161.995,086205,052330,77161.99
Nakhon Sri Thammarat 559,68988.0575,92711.95526,12385.9386,15814.0717,192677,4881,181,79357.33
Narathiwat 109,34836.04194,02063.96103,96935.38189,85864.6224,324342,255517,80366.10
Pattani 89,95235.02166,90064.9885,97634.33164,44965.6721,654291,370468,17362.24
Phang Nga 97,95284.2318,34415.7791,88681.4320,95218.573,280123,981197,70962.71
Phatthalung 213,90084.5539,08715.45199,19581.3845,59118.625,794269,040404,11166.58
Phuket 125,64388.0317,08111.97118,96985.5920,02214.413,181150,326274,40754.78
Ranong 64,23487.109,51212.9059,35884.1911,14515.812,24278,856131,37560.02
Satun 91,83570.2038,98629.8084,23767.1741,17432.834,472141,735224,01063.27
Songkhla 506,75282.26109,28317.74475,95980.26117,05219.7417,209656,6401,038,90463.21
Surat Thani 377,62887.2954,98012.71352,55884.2266,04815.7810,593457,921782,82058.50
Trang 250,64486.1940,17013.81233,94983.5446,08016.467,351310,797481,81964.50
Yala 81,75939.93122,98860.0777,96339.23120,79260.7715,025229,888351,13565.47
Southern Region 2,938,92475.75941,04924.252,758,16073.54992,58526.46142,7504,179,4016,773,03361.71
Chiang Mai 390,04645.92459,39954.08340,57742.63458,38457.3738,165933,4491,275,79873.17
Chiang Rai 249,68445.02304,97654.98211,33341.08303,06658.9225,524618,734914,75667.64
Lampang 193,75851.72180,86348.28167,96948.53178,12851.4717,663417,567624,43666.87
Lamphun 109,49548.08118,25851.9294,06744.87115,55555.1311,133254,511332,82276.47
Phrae 102,74546.21119,59453.7987,94442.71117,97357.298,027244,567374,77165.26
Nan 122,14252.83109,05747.17104,02848.32111,28251.689,137255,344385,64166.21
Mae Hong Son 69,43964.1838,75735.8259,69659.3240,93940.685,105121,282163,09674.36
Tak 160,67472.6960,37727.31142,08569.3762,73230.633,01998,585169,00458.33
Uttaradit 124,35660.2781,98239.73108,94656.6583,36043.357,051225,105367,75261.21
Phitsanulok 265,13668.96119,34831.04238,20765.02128,15634.9812,731415,539681,35860.99
Kamphaeng Phet 217,92671.8485,35428.14194,40068.2490,46531.7612,662334,102508,75865.67
Nakhon Sawan 289,39367.01142,47132.99258,56463.68147,48236.3216,970475,347836,01456.86
Sukhothai 188,60870.2579,59829.75166,41766.3284,51533.689,719294,051457,83764.23
Phetchabun 286,16369.20127,34230.80252,77165.70131,98134.3016,819457,013740,44361.72
Phichit 141,33065.3375,00034.67124,33561.6177,49038.397,910236,738429,91255.07
Uthai Thani 106,88474.7436,12325.2696,09671.3238,64828.684,954155,472256,68560.57
Phayao 109,40847.15122,64952.8593,65143.63121,00156.379,095258,004394,59565.38
Northern Region 3,020,30357.582,225,28542.422,644,99054.012,252,50945.99218,9445,788,0458,840,04865.48
Amnat Charoen 87,31454.6972,34645.3174,97649.8875,34450.124,811174,416291,11859.91
Buriram 365,04160.22241,10139.78317,34756.29246,43343.7122,846670,3001,199,59055.88
Chaiyaphum 204,05545.63243,14454.37174,99442.29238,82657.7116.867497,591885,07056.22
Loei 158,39454.19133,89045.81135,05949.91135,52050.0911,185324,607492,94465.85
Kalasin 180,46545.03220,31754.97152,04740.81220,50159.1912,693441,164771,85157.16
Khon Kaen 333,80744.91409,45355.09291,65741.74407,01158.2625,062815,1911,419,10657.44
Maha Sarakham 172,39242.41234,14057.59147,29838.42236,10761.5812,706443,811764,98258.02
Mukdahan 56,54437.9992,28262.0147,84034.6390,31565.375,257165,547265,08862.45
Nakhon Ratchasima 730,98564.39404,26135.61649,05260.78418,78939.2217,192677,4881,181,79357.33
Nakhon Phanom 139,49747.23155,83052.77114,92041.96158,94958.048,326317,047542,91058.40
Nong Bua Lamphu 77,16739.75116,95860.2566,88336.70115,35063.306,202214,347390,37154.91
Nong Khai 86,55744.29108,87455.7174,92440.96108,00559.046,980215,259395,90254.37
Roi Et 186,93135.98332,58764.02157,58732.12333,02367.8815,360564,7291,035,03654.56
Sakhon Nakhon 217,37247.89236,49752.11183,39142.74245,69957.2612,574495,262869,58156.95
Sisaket 244,49942.46331,31457.54205,00138.22331,35961.7823,297640,6661,116,54557.38
Surin 259,66849.22267,91750.78225,36445.09274,41154.9120,197580,2931,055,96454.95
Ubon Ratchathani 413,90154.77341,84845.23353,49349.83355,88550.1724,980832,2951,399,51859.47
Udon Thani 248,09240.66362,02359.34215,08437.51358,33862.4920,414669,9431,202,87855.70
Yasothon 81,27236.35142,28463.6569,32932.58143,45467.426,130243,093426,22457.03
North Eastern Region 4,309,80548.664,547,77651.343,711,29244.684,594,38955.32299,7159,722,24916,878,00257.60
Source: ECT

Aftermath

The next task of the Constitutional Drafting Committee was to draw up organic laws governing the new political system. The military continued to stay in power past the royal succession, following the death of king Bhumibol. The draft constitution would under go six changes at the request of the new king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, which expanded his powers, before being ratified on 6 April 2017. [9]

Political parties were expected to dissolve themselves and reform, possibly ending up as smaller parties, as the new voting system made it harder for larger parties to win an overall majority and more likely for a coalition government to be formed. [2]

Elections were eventually held in 2019, with the Phalang Pracharat Party, a pro-junta party, forming a coalition government. Prayut Chan-o-cha, prime minister and leader of the military government, was elected prime minister of the new government, with his nomination being possible because the new constitution allowed non-members of parliament to become prime minister. [10]

The new government will be subject to supervision by the unelected Senate as well as other constitutional bodies. Impeachment of politicians has also become easier. Future governments are also required to adhere to the 20-year plan by the military. [2]

The military is expected to remain a significant actor in Thai politics for many years. [2]

See also

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References

  1. Referendum Booklet: A Summary of Standing Provisions
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Thai referendum: Why Thais backed a military-backed constitution". BBC. 9 August 2016.
  3. "Thailand unveils new constitution draft to public". Deutsche Welle. 23 March 2016.
  4. "Thailand: Junta Bans Referendum Monitoring". Human Rights Watch. New York. 2016-06-21. Retrieved 2016-07-05.
  5. "ทนายดังมอบตัวสู้คดีทำผิด พ.ร.บ. ออกเสียงประชามติ". Matichon Online (in Thai). Bangkok: มติชน  [ th ]. 2016-07-17. Archived from the original on 2016-07-19. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  6. Chanwanpen, Kasamakorn (25 April 2016). "Scandals may hurt referendum". The Nation. Archived from the original on 26 April 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  7. Thailand votes for a new constitution The Economist, 8 August 2016
  8. Maierbrugger, Arno (2016-08-08). "After referendum, Thailand's economic direction unclear | Investvine" . Retrieved 2016-08-09.
  9. Thai King Signs Military-Backed Constitution, National Public Radio, April 6, 2017
  10. Kaewjinda, Kaweewit; Peck, Grant (18 July 2019). "With New Cabinet, Thailand Replaces Junta with Army Allies". Khaosod English. Retrieved 4 August 2019.