'It is a referendum on an empty page,' one expert says, writes Mongkol Bangprapa
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The Election Commission conducts a simulation for election officials to prepare them for the upcoming general election and referendum, at Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi last month. Pattarapong Chatpattarasill
A public referendum on whether Thailand should undertake a complete rewrite of the constitution will be held on Sunday, the same day as the general election.
While the vote is intended to seek public consent for drafting a new charter, concerns have been raised that meaningful debate on the issue may be eclipsed by election campaigning.
Critics warn that many voters may cast their ballots without fully weighing the implications of approving or rejecting a wholesale rewrite of the 2017 constitution.
To help inform public discussion ahead of the poll, the Bangkok Post has compiled views from both sides of the debate -- those who support drafting a new constitution and those who urge caution or favour targeted amendments instead.
Arguments for full rewrite
Yuthaporn Issarachai, a political scientist at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said calls for a new charter are rooted in concerns over the 2017 constitution's origins, content and amendment process.
Supporters of a
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