Thai government allows draft constitution TV debates
The Thai Government said on July 22 that it will allow debates on the new draft constitution in all provinces nationwide ahead of the August 7 referendum.
A self-described activist reads a banned 'Vote No' booklet at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Center. (Source: AFP) Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai Government said on July 22 that it will allow debates on the new draft constitution in all provinces nationwide ahead of the August 7 referendum.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will allow the debates which will be hosted by provincial authorities and the Election Commission in 76 provinces and cities.
The election commission also announced that TV debates on the new draft constitution among political parties and the Government’s representatives will be allowed.
The move came after members of political parties and a civil society coalition on July 20 stepped up calls for open talks on the draft constitution.
The civil society group, consisting of 117 individuals and 16 organisations, stressed the need for all stakeholders to be allowed to debate the contents of the charter and to have a safe public space to do so. The group also urged the government to come up with alternatives if the charter is rejected.
Prawit said that if the draft charter does not pass the referendum, the 2014 interim constitution would be amended and the NCPO would decide whether another constitution-drafting committee would be set up.
A general election would be held next year as planned, he affirmed.
According to the EC, the first TV debate on the draft constitution is due to be shot on July 22, and will be shown on ThaiPBS TV daily from 1pm-2pm from July 25-August 5. The debates is taped, not broadcast live.-VNA
You should also see
Energy industry needs nearly 5 trillion VND of investment in 2021-2030
The total investment capital demand for the whole energy sector in the 2021-2030 period is between 4.13-4.8 trillion VND (163.01-189.46 million USD), according to a plan to implement the National Power Planning in the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050.
See more
ASEAN
ASEAN Future Forum 2024 enters first session
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
ASEAN
Canada, ASEAN consolidate climate change response, economic cooperation
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN
ASEAN youth empowered to unleash potential: ASEAN chief
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
World
Thailand urged to increase proportion of renewable power generation
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
World
Indonesia lifts tsunami alert given after Ruang volcano’s eruption
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
