Prayut should heed lesson of ‘Black May’ and resign, says Sulak

Prayut should heed lesson of ‘Black May’ and resign, says Sulak

By The Nation
Photos by Wanchai Kraisornkhajit

Sulak Sivaraksa

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha should follow the example of former PM General Suchinda Kraprayoon who resigned after the deadly Black May crackdown on protesters in 1992, prominent social critic Sulak Sivaraksa said on Wednesday.

He made the remark after attending a ceremony to unveil a monument commemorating the heroic Black May protesters in Bangkok's Santiporn Park.

He warned that Prayut would suffer the same fate as Suchinda if he did not resign.

"The country can only move forward if the old generation listens to the new generation's demands. So we ask the government to solve the dispute without violence," said Sulak.

He accused the government of using the lese majeste law for its own benefit and said it should be scrapped.

More than a dozen pro-democracy protest leaders are currently facing lese majeste (Section 112) charges after calling for Prayut’s removal, a new Constitution and reform of the monarchy.

"We hope that the new generation of military officials will pay the same attention to the nation and democracy as military officials did in 1932," added Sulak, referring to the Siamese Revolution that abolished absolute monarchy and ushered in constitutional rule.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Relatives Committee of the May 1992 Heroes said the current political situation was worse than during Black May 1992.

"Relatives of May 1992 heroes are praying for Prayut to resign soon, because no one can remain in their position forever," said Adul Khiewboriboon.

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30399363