CAPO warns Thai govt officials against talking to PDRC

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POLITICS
CAPO warns govt officials against talking to PDRC
PIYANUT TUMNUKASETCHAI,
PRAPASRI OSATHANON
THE NATION

Move follows Suthep's recent visit to ministries

BANGKOK: -- THE VISIT of anti-government protesters to three government offices has prompted the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) to issue a warning to state officials and civil servants not to support or join the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)'s campaign for reform before an election.

In a press release yesterday, the CAPO invited permanent secretaries of all ministries to join a meeting on April 17 to clarify the role and duty of officials as stated in civil service laws.

The secretary-general of the PDRC, Suthep Thaugsuban, yesterday visited the Defence Ministry. It was Suthep's third visit to government officials in a week and he received a warm welcome from officials of the three ministries.

On Tuesday, Suthep led his core leaders to seek the support of the Justice Ministry for its national reform campaign in a move apparently calculated to dispel criticism he has usurped the sovereignty of the country. Last Friday, the group visited the Education Ministry.

CAPO's statement said the law stated civil servants have freedom of assembly but must not affect administration and the continuity of public service, or have a political agenda. Moreover, civil servants must support democracy and stay neutral in politics.

"We consider it is not appropriate for the PDRC to seek support from civil servants [for reform before elections] as it puts pressure on the civil servants in their work," the statement said.

"We reprimand both Suthep and the permanent secretary of Justice [Kittipong Kittayarak], who welcomed Suthep and his group and joined a meeting as if they recognised the PDRC. The act of Kittipong is not appropriate because he should [have informed] police to arrest Suthep and [his associates], for whom arrest warrants had been issued," the statement said.

Kittipong on Tuesday welcomed Suthep's group with open arms and provided rooms for talks on political reform.

Following discussions between Suthep and Defence Ministry permanent secretary General Nipat Thonglek and senior officials at the Defence Ministry yesterday, Suthep said the anti-government protesters would not hold marches during the Songkran festival from April 12-15. This would allow troops and police to take a break and stay with their families during the holidays.

Suthep said Nipat was worried there were not enough troops to keep security during the Songkran holidays. As a result, Suthep said, he agreed to suspend marches during the holidays.

Nipat noted that while officials were ready to listen to Suthep's proposals, they could act only within legal constraints.

After Suthep left the Defence Ministry he visited anti-government protesters led by the State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation near the Interior Ministry on Assadang Road, where a bomb exploded on Tuesday evening.

During his visit, sounds of an explosion were heard but nobody was injured.

Meanwhile, the pro-government People's Radio Media for Democracy Group (PRDG) yesterday performed a ceremony to expel bad spirits from five National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) members in front of the commission's office in Nonthaburi.

The five members were Vicha Mahakun, Panthep Klanarongran, Prasart Pongsivapai, Pakdee Pothisiri and Vichai Vivitasevi.

Sornrak Malaithong, spokesperson for the group, said the five members should resign from the NACC because they had not received royal endorsement. The group set up a tent in front of the NACC and vowed it would continue the protest until April 11. It also invited 45 monks to pray for the cleansing of evil from the NACC.

-- The Nation 2014-04-10

[WoopyDoo]

Welcome to the PTP style of governance.

On a par with North Korea and the Nazi Party.

This will just turn government officials against the PTP even more.

[NongKhaiKid]

I can see government officials being told not to leave their offices to go and show support but I certainly would object to being told what my politics should be.

I suppose it's ok to go out and show support for YL.

[Robby nz]

Meanwhile, the pro-government People's Radio Media for Democracy Group (PRDG) yesterday performed a ceremony to expel bad spirits from five National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) members in front of the commission's office in Nonthaburi.

Had to laugh at that one, the PRDG are the bad spirits.

Hope the ceremony works and they expel themselves completely.

The group set up a tent in front of the NACC and vowed it would continue the protest until April 11. It also invited 45 monks to pray for the cleansing of evil from the NACC.

I suspect there will be one monk who will comes along soon and cleanse their evil as he did before.

[tezzainoz]

And Yingluck will say we are a democracy and you must keep democracy

Next minute they all start telling people what they can and can not do

Yingluck the Thai People who are not sheep of a corrupt Government, and are aware of alleged corruption and abuses of authority by the current PTP Party

and the negative effects on the country associated with the influence of former prime minister Thakin Shinawatra.

No matter who you gag the cat is already out of the bag

Democracy says people have the right to choose there own politics, and the government have no right to enforce there opinions on the Thai people

Examples on a non democratic Government include

In Jan 2014 the Election Commission (EC) had repeatedly stated it could not guarantee a fair election, but the Caretaker Government insisted on going ahead with it in a bid to whitewash its wrongdoings.

Was this a Democratic Election .............. No

Unless an election is fair, it can not be democratic.

Government supporters continued to threaten independent organisations, the people and political parties which opposed it. and the police fail to perform their duties.

Ms Yingluck had never called for the pro-government and red-shirt demonstrators to behave, suggesting that she supported the actions of these same redshirt demonstrators.

Thai People have witnessed red-shirt demonstrators threaten other party members without facing arrest.

The Democrat Party has also been threatened, many times if they want to campaign in Issan

During the 2005 general election, a political canvasser belonging to his party in Phichit province had been told to stop his campaigning.

When the threat was ignored, the canvasser was shot dead in front of his house three days before the election. Police have still not arrested any suspects

So far this year things are even worse. Anti-government demonstrators were being ambushed on a main Hyway and no suspects had been arrested.

Under these circumstances, No other party but the PTP is safe to campaign for votes in the North East of Thailand

“The [Democrat] party conducted a survey of potential candidates nationwide and found that 80% had no safe place to campaign for votes, except those in the South, Bangkok and parts of the Central Plains.

So, is this a Democratic Government? is it fair if only one political party can campaign for votes but others cannot,

[slapout]

CAPO, warns, what individual is warning this time, or is this a attempt to divert attention from the caretaker government's attempt to delay senate the meeting and confirming appointment of a ex finance dept. member to a position, which they (ptp) see as a threat to several members of this governments freedom?

[Thaddeus]

Worried.... much?

[Chupup]

OK, YOU have been WARNED, No talking to the PDRC got it

[zydeco]

Suthep is a citizen. Civil servants met with a citizen. What is so unusual about this? It might be a violation of these civil servants' job description if they failed to meet with citizenry.

[Ricardo]

Yay for Red Freedom-of-Speech & Freedom-of-Thought !

Isn't 'True Democracy' a wonderful thing ? !

[moe666]

And a few still support reds in action

[Thaddeus]

What is going to be next though?

Are they going to offer a financial reward to children for reporting their parents?

[SICHONSTEVE]

I can see government officials being told not to leave their offices to go and show support but I certainly would object to being told what my politics should be.

I suppose it's ok to go out and show support for YL.

"civil servants must support democracy and stay neutral in politics".

I thought that democracy was all about the freedom to express your thoughts and have opinions without being subject to outside interference from those who disagree with your views - so why in that case must they stay neutral in politics? Surely the two contradict each other.

I wonder if a visit by Chalerm would be met by officials expressing warmth and greeting him with open arms?? Perhaps he ought to try it to find out how popular he is!!

[Scamper]

These daily Orwellian announcements and cautions and warnings - CAPO have lost their capacity to see really how ridiculous this looks. When you go after public officials for talking to protesters, to greeting them, perhaps even for smiling at them - you make yourself look ridiculous. CAPO with these statements only bring shame to themselves. They reveal themselves to be so insecure. It's time they grew up.

[chotthee]

No freedom of speech?

[seajae]

Democracy according to the ptp/reds - you are allowed to do and say whatever you want provided it is what we tell you to do and what we tell you to say. You are also allowed to talk to whoever you want as long as they are ptp/red supporters, if you do not follow these rules you will be charges with treason, that is all, zig heil.

[SOTIRIOS]

...talking....and supporting...are 2 very different things....except in the minds of guilty psychos....that will stop at nothing....

...more threats...dictating to the whole of Thailand....up to the highest courts...what they can....and can't do.....

....or what....more shootings....bombings.... and murders.......???

[Morch]

Telling people what their political opinions should be is wrong.

However, in most countries, I think, civil servants are expected not to engage in political activity at their work place, during work hours, or while wearing uniform.

Suthep & co. visiting government offices certainly falls under political activity. Civil servants should be able to participate in political activities when off-duty, and in a manner which does not abuse their position.