Thai voters now have less than a week to go before they go to the polls to vote in a historic constitutional reform referendum which asks whether they want a new constitution. For political parties and civil society groups campaigning for a vote in favour of a new constitution, the stakes are high. If the majority does not vote in favour, there is no way of amending the Constitution. Meanwhile, conservatives are campaigning against a new constitution, and while people have the freedom to believe what they believe, many reasons cited by these groups can be considered misinformation, even verging on fearmongering and fake news.

When discussing nationalism in the Thai context, most people will think of conservative movements like the Yellow Shirts and other ultra-royalist groups, but what about the new Thai nationalism among the younger generation where the concept of “Nation” is more fluid?

<p>The demonstration is held by the Coordination Center of Students, Vocational students and People to Protect the Monarchy. Sumate Trakoolwoonnoo, a group representative said the purpose for this gathering is to protect the monarchy from being infringed, create an understanding to another upcoming protesters about the monarchy and to observe whether any infringement will be made or not.</p>

<div>A young academic explains what Chulalongkorn University (CU) means to Thai society and why conservatives were so furious when a progressive activist was voted to be president of the university’s student council. &nbsp;&nbsp;</div> <div> </div>

<p><br />Forces are aligning against the Yingluck led government. On Monday, the protest movement that destabilised the country at the end of last year will return to the streets to ‘shut-down’ Bangkok. At the same time, the military has failed to commit to the protection of forthcoming elections scheduled for 2 February, and official bodies such as the Election Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Commission are doing little to dampen fears they are about to kibosh the vote.</p>