#Thailand Path towards 2017 election is going according to plan, say Thai officials

A senior Thai official has pledged that 'free and fair' elections will still take place in the country in 2017 irrespective of the outcome of a national referendum on the new draft constitution.

The comments, by Chulamanee Chartsuwan, of Thailand's mission to the European Union, come amid uncertainty about the prospects for an election next year if the constitution, or charter, is voted down in a referendum, expected to be held in July.

Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the junta-appointed Constitution Drafting Committee, has admitted, "I don't know what will happen if the charter does not pass."

The 2014 interim constitution does not say what will happen if the new draft is rejected and politicians are worried that harsh and strict provisions in the interim charter, as well as special powers under the controversial Article 44, will remain in effect indefinitely in the event of a 'no' vote in the summer.

But, speaking at an event in Brussels on Monday, Chartsuwan said the elections planned for 2017 would go ahead whatever the outcome of the referendum.

Chartsuwan, a minister at the Thai mission in Brussels, said, "The draft constitution was only released last Friday and we are now gathering comments on this. I do not want to pre-judge the intentions of Thai people or speculate on the likely outcome of the referendum. That would be premature. But the elections in 2017 are on track and will still proceed accordingly even if the charter is voted down."

The Thai official, who was a guest speaker at an event designed to boost trade between Belgian companies and Thailand, was asked what guarantee she could give that 'free and fair' elections would be held next year as promised by Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who led the May 2014 military coup.

She was also quizzed about the EU's decision to suspend fledgling negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Thailand amid ongoing concerns about various issues, including human rights and conditions in the Thai seafood industry.

Such concerns have sparked fresh calls for sanctions to be imposed on certain Thai officials.

She replied by saying, "You can talk about sanctions and delaying FTA negotiations but I would say that such things are not in the interests of either Thai people or the international community. We may have problems in Thailand but we are trying to resolve them."

Speaking at the same 'Thai Belgian Business Forum', organised by the  Thailand Board of Investment, Belgian businessman Bruno van der Wielen, a senior official at Solvay-Vinythai, called for the restoration of 'real democracy' in Thailand, saying that a "democratically-elected government" would be in the interests of all Thai people.

Van der Wielen, whose company has close business links with Thailand, added, "The way to democracy is not always easy but I am hoping this situation soon returns and also that we can find a way back to resuming negotiations on an FTA. This would give us in Europe a much better chance to promote industry and trade in Thailand. I also believe trade is the best way to promote democracy."

Thailand's new ambassador to Belgium, Busaya Mathelin, was due to speak but had to withdraw at short notice.

This year, Thailand is the Thai-EU coordinator for ASEAN, the political and economic organisation of 10 SouthEast Asian countries. It has positioned itself as an ideal location for European companies that want to do business in the region but many have questioned the ethics of doing business with a country regularly attacked over a range of issues, ranging from the rule of law to fishing.

Leading companies such as Samsung and Mitsubishi are currently being wooed by the authorities in Thailand whose economy has nose-dived in recent months.

Last October, Prayut launched his 'Prime Minister Meets CEOs' series in the junta's latest effort to restore confidence among foreign investors.

Efforts to boost Thai-Belgian trade links come at a time of deepening concern at the poor state of the Thai economy with a recent forecast from the World Bank stating that Thailand’s economy “remains on the intensive care list” with stagnant growth expected in 2016.

It said the Thai economy had contracted by 20 per cent from a GDP rate of 2.5 per cent  in 2015 to just two per cent this year, saying that this is primarily due to domestic consumption constricted by high household debt and “subdued export growth”.

In what it calls a 'gloomy outlook', the Bank forecasts that Thailand will have the weakest economy in the ASEAN region this year, saying that its economic growth is expected to decline moderately in 2016 due to high household debt and restrained exports.

Further concern has been voiced by a leading Thai economist who has warned of a significant downside if the constitution-drafting process cannot proceed according to plan.

Supavud Saicheua, managing director of Phatra Securities, said, "The constitution confirms the transfer of power [to the people], leading to elections next year. If this process does not meet the roadmap, a significant downside risk is foreseeable."

This, he cautions, could exacerbate the Thai economy's poor performance. Brussels-based Human Rights Without Frontiers has urged the EU to "strongly condemn" the draft charter, saying it "violates international standards."

Fraser Cameron, director of the Brussels-based EU/Asia Centre and who has just returned from a fact-finding visit to Thailand, is also highly critical, saying, "Although there are few visible signs of unrest many Thais wonder when they are going to have an elected government again.There is growing dissatisfaction with the military even among is initial supporters."

He predicts, "Negotiations on a new partnership and cooperation agreement with Thailand will remain frozen until there is a return to democratic rule."

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