Gov’t to organise referendum

BANGKOK (The Nation): In a bid to find ways to solve the ongoing political chaos, the Samak government agreed this morning to conduct a “public referendum”, Culture Minister Somsak Kietsuranond announced this afternoon.

He quoted Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej as saying that the referendum is the best solution to the problem.

The decision was made at a special cabinet meeting conducted this morning at the Supreme Command Headquarters on Chang Wattana Road. The venue of the meeting had to be changed after protesters led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy stormed into the premises at Government House.

Somsak told reporters that the Office of the Council of State of Thailand will consider the legislation concerned in conducting the referendum.

Earlier, People Power Party MP Suthin Klangsaeng said that his party wanted the people to be the judge in choosing between the government and the PAD.

Suthin suggested that the referendum be held with the following simple questions:

1) Should the government continue in office, resign, or dissolve the House for a snap election?

2) Should the PAD continue or end its protests?

3) Should the PAD’s ‘New Politics’ proposal to revamp the electoral system be accepted?