The United States urged authorities in Thailand to lift restrictions on civil liberties and to return the country to an elected, civilian-led government as quickly as possible.
Speaking for the U.S. State Department yesterday, Director of the U.S. Press Office Elizabeth Trudeau asked if the environment in Thailand prior to the vote was conducive to a free and fair vote without intimidation, and noted that the U.S. remains concerned that the drafting process for the constitution was not inclusive.
Trudeau cited that open debate was not permitted in the run-up to the referendum vote.
Addressing the preliminary results from the referendum vote on August 7, which show that a large percentage of Thai citizens approved the proposed constitution, Trudeau strongly urged the government to lift restrictions on “freedom of expression” and “ the right to peaceful assembly.”
She was quoted as saying that, once the referendum results are finalized, the U.S. would urge Thai authorities to proceed with returning Thailand to an elected, civilian-led government as part of the process for Thailand’s return to democracy.
She ended her daily press briefing by saying that a lift on civil liberties restrictions would mean “Thai people can engage in an open, unimpeded dialogue about the country’s political future.”
