Special : 'Accept' or 'Reject' the charter?

Samak Saensam-arng, a Bangkok taxi driver of Surin

It's not convenient for me to go back to vote but I dislike coups because they're like someone with a gun robbing you.

I want to see the draft charter though, but I didn't get a chance to go home to get my copy. I will read it like a bible and study it.

Karin Klinkajorn, urban-planning lecturer, King Mongkut Institute of Technology

I'm going to vote against it because it's illegitimate. It's dictatorial to tear down the [1997] charter. And the junta appointed people to write the new charter by themselves, the Constitution Drafting Assembly.

 How can I endorse this charter when it doesn't really come from the people and how can I accept those who tear down the charter to begin with?

Angkhana Neelaphaijit, charter drafter charter and Constitution Drafting Assembly member

I won't accept it but the Internal Security Bill is likely to be passed [by the time of the referendum]. This will render the rights protected under the new draft charter meaningless.

Sakdina Chatrakul na Ayudhya, labour expert and activist

I haven't decided whether to endorse it or reject it but it's pretty much meaningless to me. This draft charter is not good enough. I wish there was a third box on ballot paper for people who wish to vote against the process. Right now the referendum is becoming a political tool - to accept it is to accept the junta and to reject it is to support Thaksin Shinawatra. People are being pushed into either of those two boxes.

Kham Napa, Bangkok domestic worker of Nakhon Ratchasima

I'm not going to cast a vote because I must earn money and have no time. I would have endorsed it, though, if I had the opportunity. I would do it because it will then become the people's charter and I want to be a part of that.

Jiranan Hanthamrongwit, new-media journalist for prachatai.com.

I will reject the draft charter because the Council for National Security, which is not elected, has their hands all over it. They appointed all 35 charter drafters. I also couldn't accept a partially appointed Senate that will have the power to remove members of Parliament elected by the people.

There's also conflict of interest because there exists no clause preventing members of the Constitution Drafting Assembly from becoming members of Parliament or senators. What's more, two Election Commissioners are charter writers themselves they will organise the referendum, too; they are supposed to be impartial. There was only one televised debate. And, 35 provinces remain under martial law. I want to see the 1997 Constitution revived instead and have it amended after a general election.

Sirikarn Pongsutham, 25, graduate student.

She will endorse the 2007 draft constitution even it evolved from a coup. However this draft needs to be revised after the referendum particularly the part about military power.

 "I want a national election to end the chaos. After that I want to it to be revised again," she said.

Pavadee Dhramanuwong, 29, officer

She will not make a decision until she has read the draft.

"I've read two pages so I cannot make my decision right now. Sorry, I have a lot of things to do."

Nutthawat Subsin, 26, Chiang Mai

He will endorse the draft. He has compared it with the 1997 Constitution and believes the new charter will benefit people and allow for more participation in politics.

"Are you seriously asking this question. Absolutely. I will endorse this draft because people's participation is more open."

By Pravit Rojanaphruk,

Pongphon Sarnsamak

The Nation