First Thai referendum tomorrow

The government faces a test of credibility when it holds a referendum tomorrow on a new constitution that will limit the powers of politicians but lead to elections by the end of the year.
Thailand's 19 million voters have had four weeks to study the 186 pages document proposed as the country's 18th constitution.
The population expects for a return to political stability, but many opponents warn that it is “the military junta’s constitution”.
A political science professor at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University said last week: "I think this constitution will be able to solve lot of problems that we have had faced in the past, so definitely in terms of various clauses. I think it is going to be appropriate for Thai culture and politics".
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said: "This is a critical transition for Thailand, so i would like to ask people to go out and vote". Then he added:"This is another test for democracy and I hope we will pass this test".
Security will be tight for the upcoming referendum about 190.000 policemen and military soldiers will be deployed to guard 88,936 polling booths throughout the country.

Bangkok police arrest 7 anti-coup demonstrators

More than 6.000 demonstrators opposed to Thailand's military-installed government clashed with police Sunday evening in the most violent protest since a military coup ousted the country's elected government in 2006 september.
The protesters, mainly supporters of Thailand's ousted prime minister, staged a rally outside the home of Prem Tinsulanonda, chief adviser to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, accusing him of masterminding the coup last September that ousted government chief Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thousands of protesters and police officers squared off Sunday in the Thai capital, leaving 150 officers and 80 demonstrators injured. Three police officers were severely injured, said Adisorn Nonsee a police commandant.
Bangkok's Narenthorn emergency center said 109 people had received treatment for mostly minor injuries, including 79 police.
The clash came when police tried to disperse the crowd, the protesters hurled rocks, bottles and other objects at them. But the most serious fighting occurred when the police tried to detain protest leaders as they spoke from a makeshift stage on top of a truck.
Thai police arrested seven protesters.
Authorities today confined any protests or rallies to approved areas and banned street marches.
Police have video and other evidence that those detained were involved in “attacking police and damaging public property” declared Adisorn Nonsee, and he added : “We have been very patient in the past. But last night, the protesters reached an unacceptable point”.
The suspects were charged with "causing chaos, obstructing the work of authorities, and damage of state property, and they include a
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Protest leader, Noparut Worachitwutikul said to the local press : “This is not the end, and we will continue to fight for the return of democracy”.