Thai PM urges army to act within 'the constitution': statement

BANGKOK, May 20, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan on Tuesday urged the nation's army to act within the "constitution", in an official statement giving his first reaction to the military's declaration of martial law.

"Any actions need to follow a peaceful path, without violence, discrimination and with equality based on the rule of law," the statement, attributed to the premier, said.

It added that the military "must proceed under the constitution".

The army did not consult the government before imposing martial law early Tuesday, in a move the military said was "not a coup" but aimed to restore order amid fears of widespread political violence.

Niwattumrong replaced premier Yingluck Shinawatra after she was ousted by a controversial court ruling on May 7.

His government, which holds a caretaker role, has staggered on as anti-government protesters have sought support from the Thai upper house to remove him and appoint a new premier.

Critics say the Thai Senate lacks authority to carry out such a move.

Niwattumrong wants fresh elections to cut a path through this round of Thailand's political crisis which is stretching towards its seventh month.

Observers say the ruling Peau Thai party is likely to win any new polls.

Anti-government protesters are calling for ill-defined reforms before new elections to end the dominance of Yingluck's billionaire brother Thaksin on Thai politics.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-20

It would seem to me that those who have been found to be operating outside the constitution are being somewhat hypocritical

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If only the government had acted within the Constitution and the rule of law none of this would be happening. If only the red posters could see that.

Oh, the irony ... classic lol

The full force of the Constitution and the Law is now headed PTP's way.

AND it's looks like they very worried.

I bet they are regretting trying to pass the bring back Thaksin law now.

Just go away... before you get taken away...

The full force of the Constitution and the Law is now headed PTP's way.

AND it's looks like they very worried.

I bet they are regretting trying to pass the bring back Thaksin law now.

If only that was the worst of their crimes. I think they have bigger issues to be worried about.

If ever there was a good example of what a lame duck administration is, (sorry, caretaker administration) this is it.

Not even consulted by the military before martial law imposed. LOL. Must have been quite a shock when the caretaker PM woke up this morning.

Well this is how much focus Prayuth has on working with the government.

Asked just now at a press conference.

RT @tulsathit: Ask if/ how he will report to govt, Prayuth: Where's the govt now? via @jin_nation

here the full version:

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday indicated he regarded that the caretaker government was not taking charge of the situation.

"Where is the government?" Prayuth quipped when a reporter asked whether he had to report the declaration of martial law to the government.

Prayuth was speaking to a press conference at the Royal Thai Army Club after he held a meeting with senior government officials.

The Nation

Well this is how much focus Prayuth has on working with the government.

Asked just now at a press conference.

RT @tulsathit: Ask if/ how he will report to govt, Prayuth: Where's the govt now? via @jin_nation

here the full version:

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Tuesday indicated he regarded that the caretaker government was not taking charge of the situation.

"Where is the government?" Prayuth quipped when a reporter asked whether he had to report the declaration of martial law to the government.

Prayuth was speaking to a press conference at the Royal Thai Army Club after he held a meeting with senior government officials.

The Nation

Touche.

I couldn't name the PM without simultaneously googling it and eating a hot potato

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In case you haven't seen the latest news from thaivisa, we are running a ZERO tolerence on political news comments.

You will be suspended if you post anything considered damaging to the forum or the current press restrictions.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/727616-zero-tolerance-for-disruptive-behaviour-during-the-present-crisis/

"Within the constitution" that part of the statement is interesting, as Article 188 does not explicitly allow military chief to declare nationwide military law, only in a specific location. Not that anyone is likely to challenge him on that.

Irony runs deep in Phue Thai. They would still be in office if they had adhered to constitutional practice and ethics.

"Within the constitution" that part of the statement is interesting, as Article 188 does not explicitly allow military chief to declare nationwide military law, only in a specific location. Not that anyone is likely to challenge him on that.

The army has acted within the law.

However the constitution does not allow a castrated and beheaded temporary acting caretaker cabinet to select a new PM.

Where next?

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"Within the constitution" that part of the statement is interesting, as Article 188 does not explicitly allow military chief to declare nationwide military law, only in a specific location. Not that anyone is likely to challenge him on that.

This is an astute observation. For further details on this one should google bangkok pundit.

"Section 188 of the Constitution:

A translation of the Martial Law Act 1914 is here. The military’s declaration of martial law was for all localities of the country which is not allowed under the Constitution, although one does wonder whether this will be contested."

The King has the prerogative to declare and lift the martial law in accordance with the conditions and manner under the Martial Law.

In the case where it is necessary to declare the martial law in a certain locality as a matter of urgency, the military authority may do so under the Martial Law."

So on the face of it, the implementation of nationwide martial law appears to be unconstitutional. Maybe all those rednecks who are so dismayed with the lawbreaking behaviour of the Redshirts will be equally as vehemence on this as well. Then again, that's probably an unrealistic expectation.

The half coup - semi coup, onion layer coup seems to have been quite well accepted.

Other than with the US, the EU, japan, Ausatralia and all the media in the world. Luckily enough of the old boys in thailand are happy and that is surely enough to ensure the Coup is successful this time

After all, they have the experience from the other 18 don't they, so I'm sure they must have planned it well. Anybody not noting the ribbon colours and numbers on show today, should not be posting on here. Just saying!!!

The half coup - semi coup, onion layer coup seems to have been quite well accepted.

Other than with the US, the EU, japan, Ausatralia and all the media in the world. Luckily enough of the old boys in thailand are happy and that is surely enough to ensure the Coup is successful this time

After all, they have the experience from the other 18 don't they, so I'm sure they must have planned it well. Anybody not noting the ribbon colours and numbers on show today, should not be posting on here. Just saying!!!

I didn't check all countries mentioned, actually only my own , the Netherlands and the BBC. No condemnation so far.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27480845

Seems like the biggest problem is every Tom, Dick and Harry has a different opinion of what the constitutional laws really mean