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Published on July 17, 2007

PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan, chairman of the committee, said the change was made to prevent any misunderstanding that voters would be punished harshly if they did not cast a ballot in the referendum. The panel also changed some words in the bill to make the law clearer.

Spokesman Sutthipol Tawee-chaikarn said the committee agreed to soften punishment provisions, which were felt to be too high compared to the 1998 Referendum Act and the 1998 Election Act.

The punishment for disturbances which could affect the referendum process, orderliness and fairness; or deceiving, influencing or threatening eligible voters to cast their votes in a particular way; or to make them misunderstand the date, time or process of the referendum was up to 10 years jail or a fine of up to Bt200,000, he said.

The committee will allow members seeking changes to the Bill to debate their points today, but the law is expected to go through the National Legislative Assembly by next Wednesday.

Sathien Viriyapanpongsa

The Nation