Thais vote on junta-crafted constitution

Thailand's junta proceeded with its referendum on Sunday despite widespread international criticism over bans on campaigning, and at least 195 related arrests.

Voting stations across the country closed at 5 p.m. local time (1000 UTC). Results are expected later Sunday.

Pre-poll surveys suggested a small lead in favor of accepting the draft charter, but most voters remained undecided. Thailand's largest political parties reject the draft sought by the junta and its premier Prayuth Chan-ocha (pictured center above).

A low turnout would favor the military because it only needs a simple majority of those who vote, not a majority of the Asian country's 50 million registered voters.

The charter's most divisive clauses call for a junta-appointed Senate to check elected parliamentarians, and increased powers for Thai courts, already accused of political bias.

Another clause would make it easier to begin impeachment proceedings.

Climate of fear?

Amnesty International's regional deputy director, Josef Benedict, said the climate ahead of Sunday's vote was chilling.

"If people cannot speak their minds freely or take part in political activities without fear, how can they meaningfully engage in this referendum?" he said.

Another group, Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, said authorities had used a vaguely worded special law that effectively bans criticism of the charter to make at least 195 arrests.

The military deployed thousands of cadets to encourage eligible voters to participate in the referendum.

Fragile politics

Since a 2006 coup, power in Thailand has flipped between elected governments led by or linked to self-exiled billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra and rule by an archroyalist army and its establishment allies.

In May 2014, Thailand's last democratically elected government, headed by Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, was ousted by the military, following months of street protests.

The frail health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, now 88, has compounded the situation as competing elites jostle ahead of any political transition.

"The stakes are high when Thais vote this time," said Gothom Arya, director of Mahidol University's Research Center for Peace Building and a junta critic.

The junta's premier, Prayuth Chan-ocha, has said that, regardless of the referendum's outcome, he will not resign and the general election will take place in 2017.

ipj/bw (Reuters, AFP)