New referendum law sails through Parliament(Parliament photo)Parliament has passed a new referendum law, paving the way for amendments or a rewrite of the constitution. Under the law, a referendum can be held in five cases:constitution amendmentsissues deemed necessary by a cabinet resolutionissues required by law that a referendum be held onissues Parliament votes to be put to a referendumat least 50,000 voters propose to the cabinet for approvalThe law allows for the first time Thais living abroad to vote in a referendum by registering in the countries in which they reside. On other issues decided by the cabinet, the timeframe for a referendum is also 90-120 days from the date the cabinet approves it. Their names must also be on house registers not less than 90 days before a referendum date. Related information must be propagated in advance, 15 days after the referendum is announced on issues related to a constitution.

Source: Bangkok Post June 22, 2021 11:39 UTC