Thais vote on new draft constitution
Thais on August 7 went to the polls to vote on the 2016 draft constitution as planned.
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The voting, which lasted from 8am to 4pm the same day, was the second ever referendum in Thailand’s history, following the first in 2007.
Once passed, the draft constitution will be the 20th constitution since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.
More than 50 million voters must answer whether they accept or reject the new draft constitution.
The second question is whether to allow a Senate picked by the present government to help appoint the next prime minister.
According to the Election Commission, the official referendum results will be released three days later.
To ensure security for the event, Thailand has commissioned hundreds of thousands of Ministry of Interior staff, soldiers and police across the country.
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on August 5 that Thailand will hold a general election in 2017 even if the draft constitution does not pass the referendum.
