August vote

From the word on the street, things are still fragile, with sporadic protests, hire-a-mob, increasing Southern violence, and now, the strengthening baht. Don't want to think about what the ex-PM and his supposedly defunct party are up to now, but there should be ample corruption charges and legal measures to keep him at bay. Oh, and probably a physical threat or two to keep him in exile. At the moment.

There is going to be a vote in August to approve the next constitution. It's either a yes or a no vote; there is no choice for abstaining. Although we are making progress in getting to a post-coup national election, the situation feels highly controlled.

The process is shown on this chart by The Nation. The CDA have already approved the charter, the most liberal to date (e.g., equal rights for those of non-traditional gender identities, including transsexuals). Yet, this is the same government that is imposing prudish censorship rules governing prime time television (e.g., kissing and hugging = improper sexual content). It is also the same authority that has blocked a record number of websites, apparently numbering in the tens of thousands.

The coup-stagers may want to project some semblance of democracy, but it's a weak attempt. If voters disapprove their charter, they will directly call the shots, and an election on November 25 may not happen, despite the plan. If voters approve, the CNS will indirectly manipulate the political infrastructure to come. Nevertheless, I harbor (albeit dwindling) hope that the military intends to eventually shift authority to those installed by more genuine democratic processes. I feel we are slightly better off than before the coup, but this sentiment hangs by a thread.