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Published on July 29, 2007

Police have raided the Duang Prateep Foundation and confiscated 4,000 posters encouraging votes against the junta-sponsored draft charter.

The posters carried the message: "It's not illegal to vote against the draft constitution".

No one has been charged fol?lowing the seizure.

Anti-referendum activists said police had told them they were acting on military orders.

"They could not cite any law to back up their actions," said anti-charter campaigner Sombat Boon-ngam-anong.  "It's ludicrous. The police know full well; so why are they acting upon the orders of the military?"

Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayathum said nothing could be done legally against posters because a referendum bill had yet to be passed.

Former senator Prateep Ungsongtham Hata complained to the Port Authority station that police had committed an "unlawful" act. She cited the nullified 1997 charter stipulating citizens' rights to oppose an unlawful government and that people had a right and duty to peacefully oppose the junta's draft charter.

At press time police had refused to return the posters and said they would investigate whether their message was illegal or could cause a public disturbance.

Thanaphol Eiwsakul, a coordinator of the 19 September Network Against the Coup and poster publisher told The Nation he believed the police had acted unlawfully.

"We may sell and distribute more posters in front of National Police Headquarters on Monday," he said.

Meanwhile, the anti-coup protest-leaders detained since Thursday evening were barred from receiving visitors this weekend.

Thida Tojirakarn, wife of jailed leader Weng Tojirakarn, was turned back yesterday. Thida became upset and vocal.

Another leader and veteran politician Veera Musigapong appeared worried, it is said.

Pravit Rojanaphruk,

Jumpol Nopthip