Martial law in Thailand: Army chief General Prayuth in charge

[webfact]

MARTIAL LAW
Prayuth in charge
The Nation



Army chief to bring together warring groups to find a way out of political impasse; insists martial law is not a coup but only aimed at restoring order in the country

BANGKOK: -- With martial law in place, Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha intends to bring together all stakeholders in the political conflict to break the deadlock, as he says the country cannot continue in this crisis any longer.

Prayuth decided to impose the strict law after senators failed to find a way to appoint a neutral PM to end the political crisis, and the military detected the possibility of the warring parties engaging in violence, a source said.

"May I beg all Thai people to take off all 'coloured' shirts. We begin from square one to take the country forward to calm, peace and order. We have to look forward to the future and how we can move on," Prayuth told a press conference yesterday.

Meeting with acting PM

The commander will today meet acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan, anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban and acting Deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liengboon-lertchai, who are all involved in the power play.

The caretaker government and its red-shirt supporters want to have an early election to facilitate their return to power, while the protesters and senators are looking for an unelected "neutral" premier to form an interim government to carry out their "reform" agenda that would somehow remove the Thaksin Shinawatra camp from politics.

Prayuth clarified while declaring martial law early yesterday that it was not tantamount to a coup and people should not be concerned.

Niwattumrong, meanwhile, dismissed rumours that he was planning to suspend Prayuth as Army chief, adding that he would meet the top brass this week.

The military is seeking to restore order and is asking political groups to halt their protests, he said. He also urged the public to continue their lives as usual.

Asked if he had informed the government about the declaration of martial law, Prayuth said: "Where is the government now? … I don't know … Let them do their work. They should work, if they can work.

"But I don't bother the government. Now, the civil servants and the military are working for the country. I don't care about the others," he said.

Prayuth said life would continue as usual. "We'll try not to impinge on rights too much," he said. "We will not create trouble for the people. Many articles [in martial law] have not been enforced yet."

The caretaker government, meanwhile, called Cabinet members to a meeting at SC Park Hotel in the Rama IX area to evaluate the situation after the declaration of martial law, PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva said.

Reacting to the military move, Niwattumrong issued a statement saying it should be binding on all equally and peacefully under the rule of law and the Constitution.

Separately, when asked if there would be an early election, Prayuth pretended he had not heard the question, but later joked: "Perhaps I need to consult an ear doctor."

Prayuth called a meeting of heads of state agencies, including permanent secretaries and directors of ministries, representatives of independent organisations, professional associations and civic groups to explain his plan after announcing martial law.

Security operations

The military's Peace and Order Maintaining Command was set up under the martial law, replacing the government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order. The military took over all security operations and other agencies, mainly police who worked to keep order in the capital, returned to their posts and offices.

Troops were seen guarding many key locations and media offices, while some media outlets were forced to close to stop provocative messages.

Prayuth specifically told the chief of the Department of Special Investigation, Tarit Pengdith: "Stop. Enough. If you want to sue anybody, sue me instead," a source in the meeting quoted the commander as saying, referring to Tarit's role over the past months in trying to bring protest leaders to justice.

Regarding the election, Prayuth said: "If the election cannot be held, we should not have the election. If we need to sacrifice the blood of the people, we should not have the election," according to Election Commission secretary-general Puchong Nutrawong.


-- The Nation 2014-05-21

[Mango Bob]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

[JRSoul]

"Niwattumrong, meanwhile, dismissed rumours that he was planning to suspend Prayuth as Army chief,....."

He seems to recognise the difference between ambitions and abilities, not a normal trait of the red camp.

[Dr Bruce]

"If elections mean spilling blood, there will be no elections" Sounds like an invite for the PDRC to spill more blood.

If Marshall law will stop the violence then there should be elections.

[RogueExpat]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

You are kidding right?

Nobody could be naive enough to actually believe that.

[GeorgeO]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

What utter nonsense...! You seem to think that the PTP are angels, but to have allowed them to continue doing what they have been doing for the past three years would have seen this country bankrupt...! And then what? People fighting in the streets for basic necessities having lost their jobs and no welfare state to turn to...! Get a grip please.

[RogueExpat]

"If elections mean spilling blood, there will be no elections"

Sounds like a good way to keep the Red hoards from performing their usual violence to make ends meet tactics.

[JRSoul]

"If elections mean spilling blood, there will be no elections" Sounds like an invite for the PDRC to spill more blood.

If Marshall law will stop the violence then there should be elections.

But will elections stop the violence? Will Thaksin order his red militia to disband if PTP lose?

[Chris Lawrence]

The Generals non-military roles are or have been:

• After the 2006 Thai coup d'état, he was a member of the appointed National Legislative Assembly.
• member of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
• Board member of the state electricity utility companies MEA.
• From 2007 to 2010 he was Independent Director at Thai Oil Public Co Ltd.
• Since October 7, 2010 he has been a Director of the Thai Military Bank Public Company Limited.

'Asked if he had informed the government about the declaration of martial law, Prayuth said: "Where is the government now? … I don't know … Let them do their work. They should work, if they can work.' This is a very strong statement from the General; it sounds as though he has contempt for the caretaker Government as the military role should be to protect and gaurd the Caretaker crew under the martial law decree.

"But I don't bother the government. Now, the civil servants and the military are working for the country. I don't care about the others," he said. Again the General appears to be happy for the upper class civil servants and military to run the show. It doesn't sound if he respects the caretaker Government.

'Prayuth called a meeting of heads of state agencies, including permanent secretaries and directors of ministries, representatives of independent organisations, professional associations and civic groups to explain his plan after announcing martial law.' Are these bodies all top heavy with the Thai elite; no such thing as nepotisim happening here? The coup you are having when you are not having a coup. So what is his plan?

Separately, when asked if there would be an early election, Prayuth pretended he had not heard the question, but later joked: "Perhaps I need to consult an ear doctor." The General doesn't like being asked questions from jurno's.

Maybe he will buy the poor cake?

i think the General knows who's interest is being protected by the current course of events. Do you think if we sent him a coply of Animal Farm he would read it?

[Civil War]

This is not a coup per se.

There is no functioning government to take out. All that is there is totally ineffective to run the country and their presence was tearing the country apart on a daily basis. The lack of people in power was also creating constitutional problems, as it was causing articles to conflict and leading to many situations where the constitution itself no longer had any bearing on keeping the country rolling.

This is a step by step maneuvering to repair the crisis and it is going to end up being an almost carbon copy of Abhisit's proposals, but now Abhisit does not have to honour his offer of resigning during the entire process seeing as the stubbornness of the red camp rejected it out of hand. In fact, had they accepted or even bothered to attempt to compromise, they would have had their election (free and fair) in around November. Now they may have to wait even longer.

I can see this leading to part reforms with the first reform being the election process and the policing of it, and can expect the army to oversee that none of Thaksin's election fixing tactics materialise, because that is the only way PTP can win.

It also should see the farmers paid quickly, and NOT by the hand of the PTP.

[MaxLee]

"Prayuth said life would continue as usual. "We'll try not to impinge on rights too much," he said. "We will not create trouble for the people. Many articles [in martial law] have not been enforced yet."

But didn't he say that they will shutdown major media and news outlets?

[Thait Spot]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

That's not true.

Things could be much worse.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[smedly]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

mango chooka parrot jenny monao - the people or person with all the answers

Might be time to run along and find another cause to promote - how about peace in Thailand RREP

Reform

Referendum

Election

Peace

[englishoak]

Seems everyones being summoned.

Be interesting to see if Suthep or the caretaker PM and any of the others dont show.

[JRSoul]

Seems everyones being summoned.

Be interesting to see if Suthep or the caretaker PM and any of the others dont show.

There is a difference between a summons and an invitation. A military summons means that you attend voluntarily or sufficient personnel are dispatched to deliver you.

[englishoak]

Exactly

[pattayaorganic]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

Mango, what did the army do to block the election? Isn't it the government's and police's job to enforce the law? Oh,

sorry only when the s**t hits the fan, its now the Army's fault. Typical Red trait of placing blame on others. Nothing to

do with the totally incompetent nepotistic government, right?

[sweatalot]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

We would be in the same mess as before and we would have a mess like now or even bigger, now or imminent

[eddie830]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

very very true

[eddie830]

Seems everyones being summoned.

Be interesting to see if Suthep or the caretaker PM and any of the others dont show.

except abhisit!

[toybits]

When the military and not a civilian authority takes over government - I would call that a coup d'etat.

[Evilbaz]

^^^^

It's martial law - not martial rule (yet).

The Army haven't taken over the (caretaker & partial) government - sure, they may be ignoring them.

Yes - they have taken over authority for the civil service who must be squirming as they'll actually have to do something.

Yes - they've taken over authority for the police "force" who will be hastily learning what is in their job description

[Larry001]

The selfish multi millionaire egomaniac idiots continue to bring the downfall of a beautiful country. It won't worry them as they just get richer by the day or they inherit their fortunes. What about the everyday people who rely on tourism; the ones who work for tourist operators, taxi drivers, motor bike taxis, the guys who deliver ice to the bars etc etc; the people who only earn 8-12,000 Bt per month. They will be the people to suffer.

[SICHONSTEVE]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

True!! It would be infinitely worse than the new found stability we are witnessing now. What a breath of fresh air Prayuth is, but why did he wait so long to put this abject government out to pasture???

I feel invigorated by what is going on now!!!

Edited May 21, 2014 by SICHONSTEVE

[avander]

After only a short time here i don't pretend to understand Thai politics but IMHO this guy actually sounds like he has some common sense. According to what is reported in the news article a voice of reason? Maybe he should resign his commission and register as a candidate for next PM?

[Thaddeus]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

True!! It would be infinitely worse than the new found stability we are witnessing now. What a breath of fresh air Prayuth is, but why did he wait so long to put this abject government out to pasture???

I feel invigorated by what is going on now!!!

Because the longer you bang your head on the wall, the better it feels when you stop.

[marcusd]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

RUBBISH!! If there was no nepotism, cronyism or vile, blatant corruption by a despotic family, and, if all sides could NEGOTIATE and try to work,together then things would be ok.

An election bringing about the same garbage still brings maggots

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

[marcusd]

If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

You are kidding right?

Nobody could be naive enough to actually believe that.

some people are so foolish they ate blinded and cannot see the wood but for the trees

Marcusd. Via tapatalk

[MILT]

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If the Army would have supported the elections on Feb 2 and defended people rights to vote we wouldn't be in the mess we are in now.

Baby Steps!