Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said on Saturday that he believes the general public will not follow the anti-charter movement and he is confident the draft constitution will be accepted at the Aug. 19 referendum.
Surayud said the government has worked with relevant agencies to facilitate those who will go to vote, including the reduction of transportation fare. He was quoted by local media as saying that he believes the draft charter would be passed during the referendum.
He said he hoped to see at least 50 percent turn out.
The prime minister, who visited the northeastern region recently, also confirmed accuracy of reports that some local villagers are bribed to vote down the draft charter. He said the anti-charter movement will not succeed since the majority wants an earlier election.
Meanwhile, the Thai Rak Thai group has launched a campaign which is called "Those who love Thaksin must reject the Constitution Draft". The group also invited Surayud and last year's coup maker Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratklin to join its mass rally in central Bangkok which scheduled on Aug. 15.
The group, led by former executives of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party, called on the public to join the rally, saying the draft charter came from a "dictator who intended to destroy the political party system."
Source: Xinhua
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