Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon on Saturday brushed off a call for an open dialogue on the referendum by European Union envoys, saying the regime never suppressed free speech. "Several people are afraid to express their honest views due to the regime's bans and the referendum law. "However, more recently, we have seen several troubling actions, including the arrest of activists, the shutdown of opposition media and restrictions on freedom of expression," they said. The envoys said they have seen several positive steps to open political space. Democrat Party deputy leader Ongart Khlampaiboon called on the NCPO to heed the envoys' call, saying their suggestion was not based on any ulterior motives.

Source: Bangkok Post July 16, 2016 23:48 UTC