Politics ban ‘risks nation’s credibility’

[webfact]

Politics ban ‘risks nation’s credibility’

By The Nation

 

 

POLITICIANS yesterday called for the junta to lift its ban on political activities soon or risk discrediting the country in the eyes of the international community.

Pheu Thai caretaker secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai said it was unjustified for the regime to use the recent discovery of a large arms cache in Chachoengsao province last week as an excuse to maintain its ban on all political activities. 

 

“I understand that the powers-that-be are trying to prolong their power. But it won’t be good for them or the country,” he said.

 

He added that the regime should be aware that people were suffering because of bread-and-butter issues and the root causes of the problem were the lack of confidence and certainty regarding the return of democracy, the acceptable system to the global community. “The more you [junta leaders] try to prolong your power, the less benefit to the country and the junta itself,” he said.

 

Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan last week warned the ban on political activities would not be lifted because of threats to national security, including the recent discovery of two caches of military weapons. The junta banned political gatherings of five or more people shortly after the 2014 coup, resulting in all activities related to politics, including party meetings, being prohibited.

 

As the ban remains in place, politicians have also expressed concerns that they have been unable to begin making arrangements prescribed by law for the election due to be held late next year. Under the law that came into effect in early October, political parties are required, for instance, to make adjustments such as updating registration records and reporting them to the Election Commission (EC) registrar within 90 days, or by January 5. Failure to comply with the stipulations could make parties ineligible to field candidates in the election.

 

Chart Thai Pattana Party director Nikorn Chamnong said political parties needed to convene meetings in order to update their records but if the ban remained in effect and they could not hold meetings, parties would have to ask for an extension of the deadline or face dissolution. 

 

“I urge the junta to review this complicated problem. If there is turmoil, they can lift the ban to some extent to allow some party tasks to proceed,” Nikorn said. 

 

Pol Colonel Charungwit Phumma, deputy secretary-general of the EC, said parties could submit letters asking for extensions to update their registration records.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30333103

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-12-04

[Thaiwrath]

2 minutes ago, webfact said:

Politics ban ‘risks nation’s credibility’

What 'credibility' ? 

[jaywalker]

2 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

What 'credibility' ? 

The credibility that disappeared about a dozen or more coups back would be my best guess???

[Get Real]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

I understand that the powers-that-be are trying to prolong their power. But it won’t be good for them or the country,

Great to know that their at least one person with one working circuit in their brain.
Everyone knows that understanding is the foundation for creating. Good Luck!

[soalbundy]

Thailand's credibility, ..... yes, don't risk that, you will be destroying the chance to get some.

[klauskunkel]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“I understand that the powers-that-be are trying to prolong their power. But it won’t be good for them or the country,” he said.

says the Pheu Thai guy...

[manchega]

As a tax payer where do I apply for freedom of information to inspect finances of junta members since coming to power?

 

Do we have this service in Thailand? are politicians and military alike transparent about finances?

 

 

[baboon]

High time these polite requests become angry demands. You get nowhere with scoundrels like the junta using manners and pussyfooting around.

[TomAikins]

What credibility would that be?

[Jonmarleesco]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan last week warned the ban on political activities would not be lifted because of threats to national security, including the recent discovery of two caches of military weapons.

Credibility? Two caches of military weapons?

[YetAnother]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

But it won’t be good for them or the country,” he said.

trying to play any card they can find; this is their version of the military's use of 'national security'

[heybruce]

3 hours ago, Jonmarleesco said:

Credibility? Two caches of military weapons?

Two recently.  There have been several caches of military weapons found under military rule since the military coup.  The military wouldn't stage such things just to justify continued military control, would they?

[rkidlad]

I read elsewhere that this sustained ban would probably mean elections in 2019 and not 2018. People need to wake up and wake up fast. 

[Eric Loh]

3 hours ago, Jonmarleesco said:

Credibility? Two caches of military weapons?

Actually 3 caches of similar assortment of arms including AK47, grenade launchers, grenades etc this year. March they found a cache in Koo Tee’s house!!! June another cache found in a pickup and they caught a military officer selling arms!!! Now this. Brilliant intelligence work or it is just a work. 

[Baerboxer]

 

International Community - I doubt Russia, China, etc are remotely bothered about democracy let alone democracy in Thailand!

 

So presume he means the US, EU and their allies? They all seem preoccupied and I doubt Thailand will be high on their agenda for some time.

 

The only change will be organic.

[spidermike007]

There is no credibility remaining. My guess is there is still some goodwill remaining, though. That might be able to be salvaged. But, for the increasing desperate small man, there is no credibility. Doubt there ever was much to begin with. But, the little he had, went out the window a very long time ago. Thankfully, he is giving far fewer public speeches than before. Obviously someone had a discussion with him, and made him aware of what a terrible public speaker he was, and how his incredibly ill informed, nationalistic rants, were bringing tremendous shame to the nation. We can be ever thankful for that. The only thing that can bring credibility back to this nation, would be election, where the army had no participation. And since they were able to swindle the public into agreeing to a charter giving the army great powers, for decades to come, the only thing that will stop that from happening would be an uprising of sorts, from the public. Doubt that will happen. People here just seem too apathetic about politics.

[MaeJoMTB]

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

People here just seem too apathetic about politics.

More like too scared they will disappear.