The army chief yesterday dismissed criticism the military was exploiting around 100,000 Ror Dor territorial defence students as a tool to disseminate propaganda messages about the draft charter and manipulate the upcoming referendum.
Army chief Thirachai Nakwanich, left, speaks to territorial defence students at the Khao Chon Kai field training facility in Kanchanaburi yesterday. The students were given a lecture on the draft charter and the referendum. Pornprom Satrabhaya
Army chief Thirachai Nakwanich insisted the Ror Dor students would be volunteering only to explain the referendum and the draft charter to the public, without manipulating anyone's thoughts.
The students can help improve understanding about the referendum and the draft charter, especially among their peers and those using social media, said Gen Thirachai.
The students' role was to encourage people to vote in the referendum, regardless of whether they support or oppose the draft, he said.
At the referendum, the Ror Dor students will voluntarily serve as assistants to officials at the polling stations, he said.
The students could help elderly voters look for their names on the voter registration list before they enter a polling booth to cast their votes.
The students will also brief them about vote-casting procedures, he said.
However, the students will not be allowed to accompany voters into a polling booth.
The Election Commission is seeking the Territorial Defence Command's permission to appoint the Ror Dor students as official assistants at the referendum. The EC and the Charter Drafting Committee also plan to send officials to military barracks nationwide to educate military families about the draft charter, he said.