Is Thailand on its way back to democracy?
Thailand’s new constitution was unveiled on Tuesday and a referendum is scheduled in August.
It has been two years since the Thai military overthrew Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, a move it said was necessary to restore stability after years of political uncertainty.
But since then, Thailand’s military rulers have been accused of rolling back democracy.
They have now unveiled the final draft of a controversial new constitution that many argue will enshrine the military’s powers.
Thais will get to decide for themselves when they vote on the draft in a referendum in August.
So will this constitution put Thailand on a path to democracy? Or further political uncertainty?
Presenter: Folly Bah Thibault
Guests:
Sunai Phasuk – Senior researcher on Thailand for Human Rights Watch
Verapat Pariyawong – Visiting scholar at SOAS, University of London
Norachit Sinhaseni – Spokesman for Thailand’s Constitution Drafting Committee