Thais Vote For First Time Since 2014 Coup In Charter Referendum

Bangkok: Thais began voting on Sunday in a referendum on a new junta-backed constitution that would pave the way for a general election in 2017 but require future governments to rule on the military's terms.

The ballot is the first major popularity test for the junta led by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has suppressed political activity during the two years since he seized power in a coup in 2014.

Ahead of the referendum, polls suggested a small lead in favour of accepting the new constitution, but most voters remain undecided. Preliminary results were expected at around 8.00 p.m. (1300 GMT).

Prayuth has said he will not resign if Thailand rejects the constitution and that an election will take place next year no matter what the outcome.

"That is a promise we made," he said ahead of the vote. "There has been no charter that pleases people 100 percent."

Soldiers have toppled governments run by the powerful Shinawatra family twice in over a decade of political tumult in Thailand.

Critics say the charter is the military's attempt to make good on their failure to banish former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his brand of populism from Thai politics after the coup that removed him in 2006.

While Thaksin lives in self-imposed exile, he retains a strong influence, particularly with his rural support base in the north. His sister Yingluck swept to power with an electoral landslide in 2011.

Thaksin called the charter a "folly" on Thursday, saying it would perpetuate the junta's power and make it impossible to govern Thailand.

Reuters interviews with senior officers showed the military's ambition is to make future coups unnecessary through the new charter by weakening political parties and ensuring the military a role in overseeing the country's economic and political development.

Under the constitution, which would be Thailand's 20th since the military abolished an absolute monarchy in 1932, a junta-appointed Senate with seats reserved for military commanders would check the powers of elected lawmakers.

In the northeastern city of Khon Kaen, around 50 voters queued to vote outside the town's rebuilt city hall, which was burnt down by "red shirt" Shinawatra supporters during political unrest in 2010.

"I would like to see more justice and find ways to battle corruption in this country," said nurse Kanida Salangsing, as she waited to vote.

A former local red shirt leader said the military would win either way on Sunday.

"Some people are fed up," said Sabina Shah. "Fed up that regardless of whether or not the vote goes through, the junta is here to stay."

The vote comes against the back-drop of concern about the health of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 88. The military has for decades invoked its duty as defender of the deeply revered monarch to justify its interventions in politics.

NO RECONCILIATION

Whichever way the vote goes, the United Nations would like to see more dialogue between the military and political opponents, said Luc Stevens, the U.N. chief in Thailand.

"There is no reconciliation if one group says 'Lets reconcile on our terms'," he told Reuters. "If you don't want to leave anybody behind in this country, you need to think about an inclusive process, an open dialogue, and ensure that people can express their opinion."

Thailand's largest political parties, including the one loyal to Thaksin, reject the constitution but the government has banned all sides from referendum campaigning.

Two students were detained and charged on Saturday in the northeastern province of Chaiyaphum for handing out leaflets urging voters to vote against the referendum, local police chief Aram Prajit said.

They were the latest of dozens of activists and politicians detained in the run-up to the referendum.

The ban on campaigning has not stopped the junta from deploying thousands of military cadets to carry a message to Thailand's 50 million eligible voters encouraging them to participate in the referendum.

Amnesty International said the junta had created a chilling climate ahead of the vote through pervasive human rights violations.

"If people cannot speak their minds freely or take part in political activities without fear, how can they meaningfully engage in this referendum?" Josef Benedict, Amnesty International's regional deputy director said in a statement on Friday.

"The referendum will be a reflection on how popular (the military government) are in our society," said Somkid Laobang, as he sliced papaya for a salad at a food market in central Khon Kaen.

"Even if it doesn't pass, this government is here to stay to draft another constitution, under the same prime minister. But it won't look as majestic for them. If it's passed though they become legitimate."