Thailand approved the new constitution

Thai voters approved the new constitution promoted by the military junta that ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra almost one year ago. Some 45 million Thais were eligible to vote for this first-ever referendum.
Nationwide, nearly 57% of voters approved the draft constitution, compared to about 41% against it, according to the state election commission's count.
Prime Minister Surayud announced to national television: "We consider that this constitution has been approved by the people, and by the end of august the constitution will be submitted to the king Bhumibol Adulyadej for endorsement". And he added: "We promised general elections later this year. The exact date still under consideration, it could be after the King's birthday on December 5".
With the adoption of the charter, the election will take place in a significantly changed political context after the banning of the party of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in the september coup and remains in self-exile in London.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said about this referendum "this is the first step in moving forward to full democracy". Then he added:"If people see that there are some flaws in the constitution, then the next government will be the one to amend the constitution".
A voter, Tumee Kahnaym, 33 years old declared:"I’m voting yes, because it’s the only way the country will survive this crisis. I’m fed up with all these political deadlocks and crises".
In fact, many voters said they simply wanted an end to political turmoil and military rule, and that voting for the constitution was the best way to achieve this swiftly. Indeed, according a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, "a lot of people voted 'yes', not completely because they backed the charter, but just because they wanted new election on december".
Futhermore, the vote shows the country remains largely divided between Bangkok residents, who staged months of protests calling for deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step down, and those in the poor, rural northeastern provinces where support for Thaksin runs high, only 37% of voters approved the draft, with almost 63% opposed.
Most of the votes for the new constitution came from the central and southern regions as well as the capital, while most of the votes against the charter came from the northern and northeastern regions.
A northeast farmer in Buriram province, Nanit Chandee, said: "I don't think this constitution will do anything for the poor. It will only benefit the rich".
In this context, Thitinan Pongsudhirak think: "The divisiveness is deep-seated and the referendum has done nothing to change it".