Somchai accepts sacking, but says he is now free to speak out

By THE NATION

 

 

SACKED Election Commission (EC) member Somchai Srisuthiyakorn, once seen as an ally of the junta, has accepted his termination completely and is not planning to appeal it. However, he has also signalled that he is now free to comment more broadly on politics.
 

Somchai showed up at the EC office yesterday to pack up his belongings after the chief of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), General Prayut Chan-o-cha, issued the termination order on Tuesday evening using the absolute power afforded to him by Article 44.

 

Somchai said he planned to finish packing up tomorrow, drawing the curtain on four years in the role.

 

He believes his straight comments in public may have upset the powers-that-be, and they were the reason he was removed from office.

 

Leaving his workplace yesterday, he told reporters: “Now that I’m not in the EC, I will be able to give more diversified and broader comments than before, when I could only talk about elections and political party activities.

 

“Will my comments lead the NCPO to come after me? I believe I know what I’m talking about. I’ve never lied or said anything rude or provocative,” he added.

 

Mixed reactions came after the dismissal. Some analysts viewed it as a threat to independent agencies that should be free from political influence. Others felt it was a personal matter between Somchai and the ruling junta. Political scientist Trakool Meechai said that such an exercise of absolute power could lead people to think the NCPO was interfering with independent agencies. 

 

The move reflected the junta’s power and emphasised that it could be used arbitrarily, he said. Trakool added that this may create an uncomfortable atmosphere, especially as the election was fast approaching.

 

Former EC member Sodsri Satayathum, meanwhile, said it should not “creep out” independent agencies. They still had to function and carry out their duties based on the law, she added.

 

Somchai had been commenting on the election road map that could cause tension between the EC and the ruling regime, she said. So, the junta may have decided to end that by dealing directly with the problematic person, she said, adding that the matter was between the NCPO and Somchai, not the agency.

 

Somchai had been particularly critical of the junta’s election road map in recent times after the entire panel was dismissed under the new law. This led to the dismissal order on Tuesday, which stated that his comments had “caused confusion among the public”. There was also a claim of conflict of interest given that Somchai had applied for the position of EC secretary-general. 

 

Somcahi said two of his remarks could have upset those in power. 

 

First, he answered a question asked by Prayut if it was lawful for the NCPO to support a political party, and Somchai had said that for a person it would be okay, but for the NCPO it was not appropriate. 

 

Second, he opined that a petition to the Constitutional Court for a review of the MP election bill would definitely affect the road map to the election. This contradicted those in power who said it would not do so.

 

Prior to that, Somchai appeared to have a good relationship with the regime – but the pro-democracy camp labelled him and his colleagues as the electoral commissioners who had not even once managed to hold an election. Somchai opposed the holding of the February 2, 2014 election, causing negative sentiment among pro-democracy activists.

 

The EC also served the junta in holding the charter referendum in 2016. Following the junta’s security policy, the agency put harsh restrictions on any campaigns that pro-democracy activists viewed as intrinsic to free and fair voting. 

 

Despite the current circumstances, Somchai said yesterday he would not withdraw from the contest for the secretary-general position, although he was fully aware he had little chance of success. He said he would go back to working with the watchdog People Network for Election in Thailand. 

 

Somchai also appeared to be more friendly with anti-junta activists after Tuesday’s dismissal. He greeted Sombat Boonngamanong, who went to the EC office to request registration of a new political party called “Krian” (“Troll”), and indicated that he could be an adviser to that party.

 

On Facebook, junta critic Attukkit Sawangsuk said he wanted to invite the sacked commissioner to join a recently suspended discussion critical of the regime. Somchai responded: “Will you dare to invite me? I want friends. LOL.”

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30341451

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-03-22

Careful. Green hummvies have their engines on idle around the corner.

41 minutes ago, webfact said:

This led to the dismissal order on Tuesday, which stated that his comments had “caused confusion among the public”.

and praytell, what exactly Is that ? i am not confused; does it mean that if One person among the 45 or so million adults here is confused then the 'public is confused' ? ; arbitrary , and thus contentless

Yeah, it´s always better to make once voice heard, when the power to change has been lost. Isn´t that was happening here everyday? Work like a sheep and and once you found freedom, roar like a lion.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

"Somchai accepts sacking, but says he is now free to speak out"

 

I'm sure must be thinking about some other country.

 

3 hours ago, YetAnother said:

and praytell, what exactly Is that ? i am not confused; does it mean that if One person among the 45 or so million adults here is confused then the 'public is confused' ? ; arbitrary , and thus contentless

Exactly, and that is done on purpose of course.

 

Every law that is often used against political enemies (lese majeste, causing confusion, posting inaccurate information, defaming someone, jeopardizing the stability of the country) is very open to interpretation and complete arbitrary. The sole reason for using these laws is to silence opponents and not for the country or the people.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Somchai accepts sacking, but says he is now free to speak out

Two things come to mind.

Illusion dies last and a quote by Rosa Luxemburg: Freedom is always freedom of dissenters.

Edited March 22, 20188 yr by Lupatria

5 hours ago, Somtamnication said:

Careful. Green hummvies have their engines on idle around the corner.

Just another Songkran casulty and easily hidden in the figures

I need a hero. Could it be him?

6 hours ago, webfact said:

 

Somchai said he planned to finish packing up tomorrow, drawing the curtain on four years in the role.

 

Is his son packing up too?

 

 

'I never said anything provocative' he says of his 4 years working hand-in-glove with the junta.

 

No, you didn't, did you? And therein lies your moral worthlessness.

You made your bed, now lie in it....

He was one of the guys, who welcomed the coup generals with open arms ( by hindering free elections)

Karma is a bitch...

It is one thing to be able to speak more broadly about issues which ultimately got him booted, but it will be another battle to get the right media to back the words that he speaks without fear of retaliation from the powers that be.

 

RIP free speech.......................

He can speak freely but who will listen to him. Not trusted by all sides of the political divide. 

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

“Will my comments lead the NCPO to come after me? I believe I know what I’m talking about. I’ve never lied or said anything rude or provocative,” he added.

 

So what? They are as afraid of the truth as they are of any lie. Perhaps more so. You are outside the tent pi$$ing in now, fella, where the truth and good manners are no protection at all once they decide your number is up.

Welcome to the slagheap you helped consign your country(wo)men to...

7 hours ago, webfact said:

and is not planning to appeal it.

wow, after 4 years his pockets seem to be full already. Well done, man!

10 hours ago, YetAnother said:

and praytell, what exactly Is that ? i am not confused; does it mean that if One person among the 45 or so million adults here is confused then the 'public is confused' ? ; arbitrary , and thus contentless

 

Not confused, but then you aren't part of 'the public'. Just a farang.

14 hours ago, webfact said:

He believes his straight comments in public may have upset the powers-that-be, and they were the reason he was removed from office.

You mean there is a question? Of course that was the reason. Any ripple that may release information harmful to the ultimate goals of those in authority will draw terminal action.