Junta Lifts Its Ban On Politics

[webfact]

Junta Lifts Its Ban On Politics

By  Teeranai Charuvastra, Staff Reporter

 

Junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks to reporters in September 2017 at Government House.

 

BANGKOK — The junta on Tuesday lifted its nearly five-year-old ban on political activities, ostensibly to clear the way for the Feb. 24 election.

 

In an order published online by the Royal Gazette minutes after noon, the regime cited the need for the public and political parties to campaign freely for the upcoming election as the basis for its decision. The order was signed by junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2018/12/11/junta-lifts-its-ban-on-politics/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-12-11

[Samui Bodoh]

But...

 

Will people be allowed to freely criticize Prayut? His "government"? His "policies"?

 

If not, then this is meaningless...

 

 

[PatOngo]

There'll be an acute shortage of 500 baht notes in the coming week.

[SkyNets]

Can I use my red bowl now?

[darksidedog]

It's like opening the starting gate when the leading horse is almost at the finishing line. The Junta has been campaigning to gain popularity, giving away free money to the poor, while everyone else has been excluded. Probably a good way to put it, would be to say the Junta has finally stopped cheating, though they probably haven't, with a few more dirty tricks up their sleeves still likely to come.

[z42]

About time.. But unless people are free to speak out and debate the mismanagement and incompetence of the NCPO's tenure (constructively of course), then I suspect it won't be much different.

 

But if it will be free, it is a step in the right direction 

[ThreeEyedRaven]

40 minutes ago, webfact said:

the regime cited the need for the public and political parties to campaign freely for the upcoming election as the basis for its decision. 

I think what they really mean, is that they think they are far enough ahead now not to be caught up. Sadly, this and the other cheating they propose, such as removing party names and logos from the ballots, means it is probably true. Thailand has been sold down the river.

Edited December 11, 2018 by ThreeEyedRaven

[yellowboat]

58 minutes ago, darksidedog said:

It's like opening the starting gate when the leading horse is almost at the finishing line. The Junta has been campaigning to gain popularity, giving away free money to the poor, while everyone else has been excluded. Probably a good way to put it, would be to say the Junta has finally stopped cheating, though they probably haven't, with a few more dirty tricks up their sleeves still likely to come.

It is junta handicap.  They are not smart enough to know they do not belong in government and not brave enough for a fair election.  Dumb and cowardly are the norm.  Bad reflection on Thailand. 

[madmen]

While it's true he has a head start it's also true that he has 4 years of exposure which is either an advantage or disadvantage.

You guys claim he has driven thailand into the ground and if that's true the Thais will see it to in which case he will return to the army

[candide]

1 hour ago, Samui Bodoh said:

But...

 

Will people be allowed to freely criticize Prayut? His "government"? His "policies"?

 

If not, then this is meaningless...

 

 

In another article by the Nation the PM has been rather clear about it:

“Election campaigning must be done within a set framework,” General Prayut said last Thursday. “Permission must be sought on a case-by-case basis and for certain matters. We have to find a way to keep the country peaceful, or chaos will break out before we can achieve democracy.”

[madmen]

In another article by the Nation the PM has been rather clear about it:
“Election campaigning must be done within a set framework,” General Prayut said last Thursday. “Permission must be sought on a case-by-case basis and for certain matters. We have to find a way to keep the country peaceful, or chaos will break out before we can achieve democracy.”

I would only go off the official announcement on this thread

"the regime cited the need for the public and political parties to campaign freely for the upcoming election as the basis for its decision"

[webfact]

Political activity ban lifted ahead of 2019 election

By The Nation

 

 

The junta on December 11 lifted restrictions on political activities that have been in effect since the 2014 military coup led by the then Army commander-in-chief Prayut Chan-o-cha.

 

The lifting reverses a prohibition on political parties convening meetings or organising political activities. The cancelled restrictions include the ban on political gatherings of five or more people.

 

The Royal Gazette on December 11 published the ban lifting.

 

As a result of the move, election campaigning can begin from January 2, once the Royal Decree on the general elections is issued.

 

Also lifted was an order banning financial transactions involving people’s assets that were deemed necessary for the sake of national security and the public’s life and assets security.

 

The cancellation of the orders was aimed at facilitating political activities in advance of the general election expected on February 24, the first under the 2017 Constitution.

 

The announcement came after the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha confirmed on December 7 that the poll will definitely be held on February 24.

 

The new law on MP elections also came into effect on December 11.

 

With the new legislation in effect, the ruling National Council for Peace and Order is essentially forced to lift restrictions on public discussion of issues.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30360185

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-11

[MaxLee]

Nothing more than smoke screen, wanna bet?

[monkfish]

"election campaigning can begin from January 2"

"the general election expected on February 24"

Just over 1 month for campaigning then.
 

[fullcave]

2 hours ago, darksidedog said:

giving away free money to the poor

Really since when? 

[connda]

2 hours ago, PatOngo said:

There'll be an acute shortage of 500 baht notes in the coming week.

No kidding.  The junta has already beat everyone else to the punch, and legally - fancy that! ????
Eleven million potential voters now say, "We ❤️ Prayut!" 

"THE GOVERNMENT yesterday transferred a second batch of funds into the bank accounts of another 4.2 million state-welfare cardholders who are entitled to Bt500 each as part of the Bt5.5-billion New Year gift programme for Thailand’s 11.1 million low-income earners."

[connda]

31 minutes ago, fullcave said:

Really since when? 

Right here:
"THE GOVERNMENT yesterday transferred a second batch of funds into the bank accounts of another 4.2 million state-welfare cardholders who are entitled to Bt500 each as part of the Bt5.5-billion New Year gift programme for Thailand’s 11.1 million low-income earners."

Source:
https://news.thaivisa.com/article/29344/second-batch-of-new-year-gifts-for-low-income-people

[Burma Bill]

3 hours ago, SkyNets said:

Can I use my red bowl now?

and can I wear my red shirt in Bangkok?

[Sydebolle]

Off to plan something outside Thailand on 24th February then; maybe a study trip to North Korea on political science? 

[Rimmer]

A rather dangerous troll post has been removed

[chama]

On 12/11/2018 at 12:52 AM, darksidedog said:

It's like opening the starting gate when the leading horse is almost at the finishing line. The Junta has been campaigning to gain popularity, giving away free money to the poor, while everyone else has been excluded. Probably a good way to put it, would be to say the Junta has finally stopped cheating, though they probably haven't, with a few more dirty tricks up their sleeves still likely to come.

They won't stop cheating, they will just employ new ways to cheat with the hope that the other parties will fire back so they can be banned from participating in the election. 

[zzaa09]

On 12/11/2018 at 1:14 AM, Burma Bill said:

and can I wear my red shirt in Bangkok?

I've an old UDD shirt you can have.

Go for it!!!!

[observer90210]

Will vote for the party that abolishes the : 90-day reporting - the re-entry permit requirement.

 

Will vote also for the party who makes one simple retirement visa scheme valid either 3, 6 or 12 months, that one gets from an Embassy abroad with the financial guarantees shown and that's it. No more 90 day reporting, re-entry premits, extension hassles or whatever. ..

 

Will also vote for the party that abolishes tax on wine an booze and establishes a circular that puts the soapys and Long Term servicing at a max price of THB 2'000.-????

 

Will also promise my vote to the party that cleans up the official taxi driver cheats and harshly punishes any taxi driver refusing a run or the meter...

 

Not to forget the vote given to the party that enforces a more realistic exchange rate for the THB - say 38 THB for 1 US$

 

...so I guess will vote for nobody after all....????

Edited December 12, 2018 by observer90210