PM Prayut refuses to confirm end to political gathering ban

[webfact]

PM refuses to confirm end to political gathering ban

By WASAMON AUDJARIN 
THE NATION

 

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha

 

PREMIER SAYS PARTIES HAVE BEEN ‘DOING THEIR THINGS’ FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday refused to reveal when the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would lift its ban on political gatherings, which has prevented political parties from making official moves since the 2014 coup. 

 

The premier said that despite the ban, politicians had still been “doing their things” although in a low-key manner. 

 

“Do you think they haven’t done anything for the past three years?” he asked. 

 

Prayut insisted that the NCPO would make sure that all election processes follow procedures stipulated in the 2017 charter. 

 

While the charter says that an election must be held within 150 days after four essential organic laws are enacted, it does not say how much time legislators have to finish deliberating those laws. 

 

Prayut promised last month that the election would be held in November next year. 

 

So far, two of the four organic laws are already enacted, involving the Election Commission and political parties. The new EC law resulted in all former commissioners being removed. Applications for the new commissioners have been open since mid-October, but no one has applied so far. 

 

Yesterday, Prayut said the new commissioners are needed to line up rules and regulations for the general election. 

 

“We have to wait for them to work and ensure that the election will run smoothly,” he said. The premier also called on all sides to “stop all the hatred” and to “move forward to perfect democracy with a government with good governance and transparency”.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan echoed the premier’s remarks, saying he could not say when the NCPO would deliberate lifting the ban on political gatherings. 

 

He said the timing was “not yet right”.However, he said political parties could at present carry out certain activities under the law, such as the registration of party members.

 

Prawit urged politicians to wait for the right time to lift the ban and said this would follow the government’s road map.The deputy PM said there were still some “disturbances” in the form of opposing political sides attacking each other.

 

Chief charter-drafter Meechai Ruchupan said the junta ban on political gatherings would not have much impact on political activities in regard to the coming election, as “solutions were available”.

 

He said the new political party law allowed the Election Commission to extend the statutory preparation period by a further 180 days by making an announcement to that effect in an emergency.

 

Another option is for the EC to shorten the period of time for political campaigning ahead of a national poll.

 

“I don’t believe that they [political parties] would have much trouble [getting things organised in time]. They might just feel worried, that’s it,” Meechai said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30330525

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-01

 

[stephen tracy]

More male cow defecation. 

[Samui Bodoh]

47 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prayut promised last month that the election would be held in November next year. 

 

Why would anyone believe the words of this man?

[stephen tracy]

1 minute ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

Why would anyone believe the words of this man?

I don't think anyone does.  But astonishingly, he actually has a support base who honestly believe that the elites of Thailand that he protects actually have their interests of heart.  Even more incredible is that there are members on TV who wholeheartedly support the venal, feudal system he represents due to some pathological obsession with red-shirts/Shins etc.  

[z42]

For reasons unmentionable here, the military has lost its legitimacy and the little people's tolerance for another coup simply wouldn't fly. Additionally a whole slew of scams and corruption and mismanagement have been laid bare on social media this last few years, and it has totally shattered the image the military regime wishes to portray that it is virtuous and serves the country rather than its own interest.

 

We will now see a real clinging on of power.. Nothing has been reconciled, and the divisions are still there, if inything they are worse than before. Can't see this ending well at all.

[SABloke]

"He said the new political party law allowed the Election Commission to extend the statutory preparation period by a further 180 days by making an announcement to that effect in an emergency."

 

I get so immune to reading "180 days", but it's 6 <deleted> months!!! 6 ADDITIONAL months to prepare an election!?! 

 

He said the timing was “not yet right”.However, he said political parties could at present carry out certain activities under the law, such as the registration of party members.

 

Gonna be hard to convince people you're a legitimate party if you can't even hold a meeting. (remember they have to pay 50 baht to register as members) 

 

Chief charter-drafter Meechai Ruchupan said the junta ban on political gatherings would not have much impact on political activities in regard to the coming election, as “solutions were available”.

 

Suck my balls, Meechai, you deplorable old kunt. 

[Ossy]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut insisted that the NCPO would make sure that all election processes follow procedures stipulated in the 2017 charter. 

In other words, no-one else gets a look in, probably until the day before election day. He's just runnin' scared . . . besides being so preoccupied with flood reparations, as per the other similar thread.

[Ossy]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

So far, two of the four organic laws are already enacted, involving the Election Commission and political parties. The new EC law resulted in all former commissioners being removed. Applications for the new commissioners have been open since mid-October, but no one has applied so far. 

Can farangs apply? It's the only way anything will happen, this decade, let alone by next November. And there can't be another CV to match mine. In fact, I'll call round at Prayut's place, later today, to drop it off  . . . my brownie, plus 1 or 2M bahts is at the ready.

[YetAnother]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut promised

worthless

[yellowboat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The premier also called on all sides to “stop all the hatred” and to “move forward to perfect democracy with a government with good governance and transparency”.

The military is to blame for good part of the hatred.  They stepping aside would help immensely.  The yellows need to get out an campaign far worse than the reds.  They have a terrible relationship with people in the North and East.  They will be hurt more by continuing the ban.  Perhaps that is what the military wants, so they can be that counter balance to a popularly elected government hated by the elites.  A cycle to continue perhaps that favors those who wear green.   That, or they are just stupid. 

Edited November 1, 2017 by yellowboat

[Mainhattencitizen]

4 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

 

Why would anyone believe the words of this man?

Nobody in their right mind believes a word he says

[newcomer71]

Forget elections. The lot is going to hold a strong grip on power, until there will be a social uproar. But this time there won't be an intervention from 'above'... Sad times for Thailand.

[gk10002000]

The funny thing is, it reeks of the Thai mentality of rationalization.  The way he says they have been doing there thing anyway, so no need to remove the ban.  Repression and suppression in this modern era of mass communication, the internet, exposure to ideas and other cultures.  Still amazing how force can rule

[Get Real]

There can be be only one, as the Highlander once said.

[Lupatria]

4 hours ago, z42 said:

For reasons unmentionable here, the military has lost its legitimacy and the little people's tolerance for another coup simply wouldn't fly. Additionally a whole slew of scams and corruption and mismanagement have been laid bare on social media this last few years, and it has totally shattered the image the military regime wishes to portray that it is virtuous and serves the country rather than its own interest.

 

We will now see a real clinging on of power.. Nothing has been reconciled, and the divisions are still there, if inything they are worse than before. Can't see this ending well at all.

Due to fatalism of a brainwashed society...

[Baerboxer]

 

No exactly surprise of the week! 

 

He does things when he's good and ready and not before as demonstrated many times over the last 3 years. And, as with all politicians words and actions are not necessarily the same in meaning.

 

The next election, whenever it is, will be controlled tightly with rules, rules, and more rules.

 

 

[TKDfella]

I note here that the PM doesn't qualify what '...doing their things...' is/are but I read this morning that the PM doesn't like the 'insults' etc. What does this man want????? If the rest of the world (democratic a & otherwise) worried about rhetoric nothing would get done. The public is always going to be comprised of 'for's & against', that's life...anywhere. Just a stalling game.

[sawadee1947]

very much afraid of WHOM? Of all Thai people who were hoping things would change to the better during Prayut's time. His time is definitely up.

[Jonah Tenner]

6 hours ago, yellowboat said:

The military is to blame for good part of the hatred.  They stepping aside would help immensely.  The yellows need to get out an campaign far worse than the reds.  They have a terrible relationship with people in the North and East.  They will be hurt more by continuing the ban.  Perhaps that is what the military wants, so they can be that counter balance to a popularly elected government hated by the elites.  A cycle to continue perhaps that favors those who wear green.   That, or they are just stupid. 

Never ascribe to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

[thhMan]

if only his Dad had worn a condom that horrific day