Prayut rejects call to lift political activities ban

[webfact]

Prayut rejects call to lift political activities ban

By The Nation

 

Prayut

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday dismissed a concerted call by major political parties to lift a controversial junta order that prevents political activities.
 

He said the directive “may be amended on certain issues” in order to help get rid of “administrative problems” raised by various existing and new parties.

 

Prayut, in his capacity as head of the National Council for Peace and Order, issued NCPO Order No 53/2560 last December. The directive allows certain political activities required by the new Political Party Act, while maintaining the junta ban on most other political activities.

 

It permits political parties to manage the confirmation of current party members, collect membership fees and find new members. But party meetings still require permission from the NCPO.

 

Prayut said his government and the NCPO would determine what amendments would be made to the directive. He noted that the Council of State, which is the government’s legal advisory agency, yesterday discussed the matter with the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC). These bodies would later suggest to the NCPO how to amend the original order.

 

“Most of the restrictive points involve administrative matters. The government and the NCPO will see how the issues can be fixed,” Prayut said.

 

Meanwhile, CDC chairman Meechai Ruchuphan yesterday said he was unsure whether the NCPO directive could be amended at this time, now that the Ombudsman’s Office had sought a Constitutional Court verdict as to whether the order violated the rights of political parties.

 

The country’s major political parties, Democrat and Pheu Thai, requested earlier this year that the Ombudsman’s Office refer their petition to the court, but the court did so just last week.

 

“I can’t give you a clear answer if an amendment can be made” to the NCPO order, Meechai told reporters.

 

He said he did not know if the “problematic” issues mentioned in the petition were the same as the ones targeted for amendments. “If they are different, I think we may go ahead [with an amendment],” Meechai added.

 

Also yesterday, Prayut said former government leaders Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra should feel ashamed for appearing in public even though they are lawbreakers.

 

Prayut said he did not feel embarrassed after Thaksin and Yingluck travelled to Japan and stayed there for a few days last week. He said that Thai authorities had taken all the necessary legal measures regarding the siblings.

 

The Shinawatras are wanted by Thai authorities for separate alleged wrongdoings. They have lived in self-exile overseas after fleeing the country – Thaksin in 2008 and Yingluck last year. They have appeared together in several Asian countries over recent months.

 

“We cannot enforce our country’s laws overseas. If foreign countries do not send them back [for prosecution in Thailand], that’s it. Do you get it?” Prayut told reporters at Government House yesterday.

 

“I don’t have any feeling about them. They should have been ashamed. They broke the law and they still dare to go out,” he said.

 

When serving as the Army chief, Prayut led a coup in May 2014 that overthrew a government led by Yingluck’s caretaker successor.

 

Yingluck had been removed from the PM’s seat a few months earlier by a court order after she was found to be guilty of abusing her power by moving the National Security Council secretary-general at that time.

 

Prayut also hit back at Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday for stating that his party did not welcome politicians who support the junta chief returning as an unelected government head after the next election.

 

“He should have been more careful with his words. Did he care for mutual respect? If I get angry and say something bad, the persons involved will suffer,” Prayut said.

 

“Let’s wait until after the election. How will his position change? Let’s see what will happen, and ask him again at that time,” he told reporters.

 

On Monday, Abhisit said politicians who back Prayut’s return as outsider prime minister need not consider joining the Democrat Party.

 

“There are plenty of other choices for them,” he said, referring to new political parties being set up with a main goal of supporting the junta chief’s longer stay in power.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30342407

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-04-04

[Samui Bodoh]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday dismissed a concerted call by major political parties to lift a controversial junta order that prevents political activities.

It is just going to get louder and louder... and that is a good thing.

 

The rationale behind the coup, for those who supported it, has vanished and there really is no good reason anymore for the Junta to stay in power. 

 

It is pretty clear that Prayut desperately wants to stay in power (despite his denials), but it is also becoming more and more clear everyday that there is a groundswell against this idea; for the first time that I remember, the Dem party came out yesterday to say that they will not support him.

 

Thailand is entering a critical and dangerous time. It seems to me that the Junta is no longer wanted and that the people are regaining their voice and confidence, but on the other hand it is difficult to dislodge the military simply because it is difficult to know where to put them. 

 

The immediate road ahead requires skilled political tacticians to manage things to a proper conclusion, but I don't see any of them on the horizon.

 

These are very dangerous times and I fear violence and bloodshed are quite possible... 

 

 

[stephen tracy]

Quote

 

“He should have been more careful with his words. Did he care for mutual respect? If I get angry and say something bad, the persons involved will suffer".  Schmuck.

 

“Let’s wait until after the election. How will his position change? Let’s see what will happen, and ask him again at that time"... which basically translates into "Once I crown myself PM for life, l will deal with this guy in the worst possible way unless he bows down to me".  

 

I wonder when Prayuth's coronation will be.

Edited April 3, 2018 by stephen tracy

[Somtamnication]

"Administrative problems" is him, not the political parties trying to create a democracy. 

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Meanwhile, CDC chairman Meechai Ruchuphan yesterday said he was unsure whether the NCPO directive could be amended at this time, now that the Ombudsman’s Office had sought a Constitutional Court verdict as to whether the order violated the rights of political parties.

new territory: now, 'we just don't know...'

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Do you get it?” Prayut told reporters at Government House yesterday.

 

“I don’t have any feeling about them. They should have been ashamed. They broke the law and they still dare to go out,” he said.

i cringe when this guy talks; does he sound like a proper governing leader ?

[jenny2017]

Also yesterday, Prayut said former government leaders Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra should feel ashamed for appearing in public even though they are lawbreakers.

 

Unfair that he didn't even mention his own family. Especially his own brother. 

[graemeaylward]

How can new political parties promulgate their policies to the masses if there is a ban on the meetings of political parties? If they cannot attract membership, they will not be allowed to compete in an election! I think that I have just answered my question [emoji5] Democracy? Humbug!

Sent from my X98 Plus II (C2D6) using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[stephen tracy]

9 hours ago, YetAnother said:

i cringe when this guy talks; does he sound like a proper governing leader ?

So do I. He is truly loathsome. So is his side kick, Dumbo. I'm not sure which one of them I'd rather fist more. I think I'd just have to flip a coin.

[Lupatria]

I have no problem if a nation prevents political activities- especially for 'coupsters'.

[monkfish]

Only I am allowed to campaign! hahah

[cornishcarlos]

1 hour ago, stephen tracy said:

I'm not sure which one of them I'd rather fist more

 

I hope that was a typo !!! I'm now struggling to get certain images out of my head...

[Anak Nakal]

Prayut is afraid! 

Thai people don't want him and he know.

[baboon]

18 minutes ago, monkfish said:

Only I am allowed to campaign! hahah

I can well imagine such a scenario, just like with the constitution. He will be out and about throwing money all over the place and insisting the public can choose to vote for who they wish. No way is he trying to influence the vote but making it understood that if they don't vote for the party who will nominate him for Prime Minister there will be trouble.

 

Meanwhile the other parties will either just be a number on the ballot paper or if allowed to campaign, will be so restricted in what they can say as to make it pointless.

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

the Council of State, which is the government’s legal advisory agency, yesterday discussed the matter with the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC)

The COS, a department under coup-leader Prayut will discuss the legal matters with an unconstitutional EC (membership expired) and coup-leader Prayut's handpicked CDC (aka one of the NCPO's Five Rivers).

This sounds like a lead-in to a funny joke.

Unfortunately it's reality.

[thaiguzzi]

6 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

The immediate road ahead requires skilled political tacticians to manage things to a proper conclusion,

Or just a student bloodbath unfortunately.

This will be the more likely outcome. History repeating itself when the Generals do not realize their time is up and enough is enough.

[Denim]

Give him enough rope and he will eventually hang himself.

 

He is walking a similar path to Suchinda and it will probably turn out just the same as back them. But not before scores of protesters will have been shot.....again.

 

When he falls , as he surely will in the end , I just hope this whole business of amnesty is brushed aside and he is bought to justice along with all those like him.

[realenglish1]

This is all going to come  to a head one way or the other

[yellowboat]

Would love to see this tin pot defend himself in an open debate with Abhisit or any other politician.  He would get so badly verbally abused, it would cast him aside where he needs to be.

[realenglish1]

How can you have an election without political rallies  At lease a fair election

[monkfish]

He's got everything planned to perfection and when he gets elected he can claim he was democratically elected by MP's.

Edited April 4, 2018 by monkfish

[metisdead]

A post in which the quoted content had been altered has been removed. 

 

A post with a disallowed hyperbolic reference to the Thai government has been removed. 

[Eligius]

Kick, kick, kick in the teeth of the Thai people and the politicians - again and again, day after day, month after month, year after year. And again - KICK. That's it, brave man P. - what a courageous hero you are. No one can touch you, with your tanks and guns  .....

 

EXCEPT

 

nearly 70 million Thais, who own the sovereignty of the Thai nation - IF THEY CHOOSE TO EXCERCISE THEIR MASSED POWER AND RIGHTS.

[Media1]

scared little man

[Baerboxer]

On 4/4/2018 at 4:12 AM, Samui Bodoh said:

It is just going to get louder and louder... and that is a good thing.

 

The rationale behind the coup, for those who supported it, has vanished and there really is no good reason anymore for the Junta to stay in power. 

 

It is pretty clear that Prayut desperately wants to stay in power (despite his denials), but it is also becoming more and more clear everyday that there is a groundswell against this idea; for the first time that I remember, the Dem party came out yesterday to say that they will not support him.

 

Thailand is entering a critical and dangerous time. It seems to me that the Junta is no longer wanted and that the people are regaining their voice and confidence, but on the other hand it is difficult to dislodge the military simply because it is difficult to know where to put them. 

 

The immediate road ahead requires skilled political tacticians to manage things to a proper conclusion, but I don't see any of them on the horizon.

 

These are very dangerous times and I fear violence and bloodshed are quite possible... 

 

 

 

Interestingly a lot of middle class, higher class and young 20-30 somethings who are university graduates I know are all now very unhappy with the Junta. Many of these people voted for PTP and then wanted them out as the lies, corruption grew and the final straw was the amnesty for Thaksin fiasco. Most attended the demonstrations against that and welcomed the removal of the PTP caretaker government. They all wanted reforms, real reforms. 

 

Now, they have become more and more frustrated with the lack of real reforms, the growing list of scandals and corruption, the do as we say not as we do continuance, and the glaringly obvious suppression of transparency, investigation and criticism.

 

This augurs well for the new parties providing they are genuine, really want to change things and serve the people and not just puppets or fronts for others or out of the molds of those they seek to succeed.

 

When, if, the election happens, and if it is conducted fairly, then there could be some interesting times ahead.

 

 

[chama]

On 4/3/2018 at 5:12 PM, Samui Bodoh said:

These are very dangerous times and I fear violence and bloodshed are quite possible... 

The entire post is well stated but this line, the bottom line so to speak, is frightening. Unfortunately it appears it is the only thing that will result in democracy being returned to Thailand which is way overdue. 

[Sir Dude]

Well...that's cute! Another story that I can't post properly to without being banned. I hope the smug fool gets hammered in the elections (if they ever happen) along with all the sycophants too. 

[wgdanson]

On 4/4/2018 at 7:22 AM, stephen tracy said:

So do I. He is truly loathsome. So is his side kick, Dumbo. I'm not sure which one of them I'd rather fist more. I think I'd just have to flip a coin.

Gambling is illegal. Thump 'em both.