Donation Drive Wins Freedom for Elderly Activist Jailed 9 Days
CHIANG MAI — After spending nine days in jail because he couldn’t afford the bond money, a 63-year-old man charged with violating the referendum law walked free last night, thanks to a crowdfunding effort to raise bail.
Somchai Regrets Taunting Gravity With Ballot Box Bravado
BANGKOK — The public face of Sunday’s charter referendum said today that he regretted embarrassing himself before a national audience and launching a thousand internet memes by breaking what he claimed was an unbreakable ballot box.
How Referendum Sunday is Supposed to Go Down, Step-by-Step
Pravit Rojanaphruk spoke to top election officials and reviewed their procedures to provide this step-by-step guide to how it's supposed to play out.
Politicians Charged for ‘Distorting Constitution’ in Private Letters
BANGKOK — Eleven people, including former politicians and local officials, are under arrest for allegedly misrepresenting the new constitution draft that will be put to a referendum this Sunday.
We Took Top Concerns About Sunday’s Referendum to Elections Officials
BANGKOK — Can people trust that the Aug. 7 referendum charter draft will be transparent, impartial and credible?
Given the junta’s wielding of absolute power...
Referendum Graffiti Puzzles Deep South Observers
BANGKOK — People in the three southern border provinces woke Monday to signposts and roads spraypainted with graffiti apparently denouncing the proposed constitution at stake in the upcoming referendum.
Ubon Ratchathani University Cancels Referendum Talk Under Pressure
UBON RATCHATHANI — Another public discussion of Sunday’s charter referendum has been banned, this time in the northeast at Ubon Ratchathani University.
Ad-Hoc Network Urges Public to Report on Referendum via Social Media
BANGKOK — An ad-hoc network of unofficial referendum monitors was launched Monday by six organizations in a last-minute bid to scrutinize this coming weekend’s public poll on the junta-sponsored charter draft.
Late Royal Astrologer’s Aide Sentenced for Lese Majeste
BANGKOK — A military tribunal convicted an assistant to the Crown Prince’s late court astrologer of insulting the monarchy and sentenced him Monday to three and a half years in jail.
Fewer Than 10 Observers From Anfrel Available for Charter Referendum
BANGKOK — An organization experienced in observing elections across Asia for years will send fewer than 10 of its staff to observe the upcoming referendum on the new constitution.
