Govt justified in maintaining watch on ‘law-breaking’ election activists, PM Prayut insists

[webfact]

Govt justified in maintaining watch on ‘law-breaking’ election activists, PM insists

By Wasamon Audjarint 
The Nation

 

 

Only a day after announcing human rights as a national agenda, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on Tuesday that his junta government would continue keeping a watch on activists calling for the long-delayed general election.

 

“I don’t know what they want from something that has a clear answer. They just want to stir it up again. The government can’t tolerate this,” the premier said during his weekly press briefing.

 

“People should look after this, especially the guardians of those students,” he went on, referring to the student activists. “They will be in trouble if they are prosecuted. I’m not threatening, but laws are laws and have to treated equally by all sides,”

 

Prayut was referring to two assemblies held after the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly resolved to delay promulgation of the MP election bill draft by another 90 days.

 

This will consequently shift the election from November, as promised earlier by Prayut, to February next year.

 

But the PM said that this was not a breach of his promise, as everything would still follow the so-called roadmap to democracy under the international standard. “It’s not because of me. I didn’t order that [90-day delay]. It just follows the legal mechanism,” he insisted.

 

This caused anger among pro-democracy activists, who see the NLA’s 90-day decision as part of the junta’s intention to stay in power by prolonging its engagement in politics.

 

Charges have been pressed against some activists for allegedly breaking the junta’s ban on political gatherings, and also violating the Public Assembly Act. 

 

Those considered key figures among the activists were also charged with sedition.

 

The charged activists turned themselves in to the police during the past week, since which some have been released without conditions and others have been released on bail.

 

Prayut, meanwhile, reiterated that the protest group had broken the law and “did not respect the rights of others”.

 

“They blocked the road, doesn’t that break the law?” he asked rhetorically. “They said we infringed their rights. Didn’t they also infringe the rights of others who did not join their rallies?”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30338799

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-14

[colinneil]

Prayut meanwhile reiterated they had broken the law, and did not respect the rights of others.

Well that is exactly what happened in the 2014 coup !!

[steven100]

Just tell the media what they need to know.  Khun Prayut and the Junta are doing what is required to keep Thailand and it's economy ticking over. Controlled and orderly to dispel any fraction fighting between parties.  Thailand hasn't been so good for a long time and most thais are aware of this.  While Khun Prayut is at the helm there is no issue with violence and insecurity as there was back when yingluck was trying to run the country ... but without success.

 

[Rimmer]

An off topic post containing a copyright image has been removed

[Eligius]

It's really painful to read this drivel coming from this moron's mouth. 'Blocking the road' is a big crime in Thailand, is it? My God - every inch of every road is blocked on a daily basis here - it's utterly normal. But the worst thing the Moron-in-Chief can think of to say about the valiant and brave protesters for basic human rights and liberty is that 'they blocked the road' and are therefore the most heinous kind of criminals.

 

How pathetic can you get!

[rkidlad]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

“I don’t know what they want from something that has a clear answer.

In the words of the virgin Mary, "Come again?".

 

What is this clear answer? Elections in November? Might be delayed by a month. Maybe three? No definite date.....

 

He's absolutely cornered. This drivel will just get worse and worse. 

 

 

Edited February 14, 2018 by rkidlad

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

I’m not threatening,

classic double-speak; his rhetoric  both before and after that quote is pure intimidation, which is....threatening

[tracker1]

Someone running on power and authority self imposed and loving it

[heybruce]

"...but laws are laws and have to treated equally by all sides,” "

 

So says the man who staged the coup, suspended the constitution, wields unrestricted power through Article 44, and has promised elections "next year" every year since 2014.

[heybruce]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

Just tell the media what they need to know.  Khun Prayut and the Junta are doing what is required to keep Thailand and it's economy ticking over. Controlled and orderly to dispel any fraction fighting between parties.  Thailand hasn't been so good for a long time and most thais are aware of this.  While Khun Prayut is at the helm there is no issue with violence and insecurity as there was back when yingluck was trying to run the country ... but without success.

 

More praise of repression from Steven, followed by one of his pin-ups of his hero.  Steven really has a man-crush on Prayut.  Are you djjamie?

[yellowboat]

These students will not win praise from a power usurping army general for this general lacks conviction, ethics and consideration of the average Thai.  Such praise would be nauseating to these brave kids.  Outside the Thai military, these kids are considered heroic where history will be far less kind to little p. 

[Hayduke]

4 hours ago, steven100 said:

Just tell the media what they need to know.  Khun Prayut and the Junta are doing what is required to keep....

 

 

People who truly love Uncle do not use the inflammatory and disrespectful...“J” word.

 

 

Edited February 14, 2018 by Hayduke

[GarryP]

6 minutes ago, Hayduke said:

 

People who truly love Uncle do not use the inflammatory and disrespectful...“J” word.

 

 

"Jackass"?

[d2b2]

4 hours ago, steven100 said:

Just tell the media what they need to know.  Khun Prayut and the Junta are doing what is required to keep Thailand and it's economy ticking over. Controlled and orderly to dispel any fraction fighting between parties.  Thailand hasn't been so good for a long time and most thais are aware of this.  While Khun Prayut is at the helm there is no issue with violence and insecurity as there was back when yingluck was trying to run the country ... but without success.

 

Ummm,no violence? I recall there were bombings in multiple cities, continued murders in the south and several arrested suspects who ended up dead in their cells. I suspect you are suffering from “magical thinking”

[sammieuk1]

Govt justified in maintaining watch on ‘law-breaking      How many got the wrong story with this headline.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

‘law-breaking’ election activists

Just look into a mirror dear general.

[eliotness]

Just another "watch" story 555

[TKDfella]

How about a bit of a change eh? New headline;

PM insists Govt justified in maintaining election activists on watch ‘law-breaking’. 

That has a better ring to it, yeah? Should I change 'ring' for 'chime'?

[chama]

Of course they are justified. Any self appreciating dictatorship could tell you this. And if your dumb enough to believe it then you get what you have....