All parties offer cautious support: Thai politics

[webfact]

POLITICS
All parties offer cautious support
Olan Lertrudtanadum-rongkul,
Prapasri Osathanon,
Piyanut Tumnukasetchai,
The Nation

Pro-govt camp warns army against double standards, charter violations

BANGKOK: -- Key players in Thailand's political scene have apparently decided not to challenge the newly proclaimed martial law - at least for now.

Those in the pro-government camp, however, have warned the military against such things as double standards, tearing down the Constitution and breaching democratic principles.

Those in the anti-government camp, meanwhile, have expressed hope the martial law will prevent violence from recurring. Since November, the political turmoil has caused more than 20 deaths and injured more than 700.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a hugely controversial figure at the heart of the Kingdom's bitter political divide, said via Twitter yesterday that the imposition of martial law must not "destroy" democracy.

"The declaration of martial law is expected ... however, I hope no party will violate human rights and further destroy democracy," he said.

Thaksin was ousted as prime minister in a bloodless coup in 2006, and his younger sister Yingluck was disqualified as prime minister this month.

Acting Prime Minister Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan said the martial law should be implemented through a peaceful and non-discriminatory approach.

"The Army should proceed in line with the Constitution," he said.

Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha declared martial law early yesterday.

Former Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema said that for as long as Prayuth remained neutral, bloodshed would not erupt.

"If you help the PDRC, it will mean you're taking a side," he said.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), which supports the government, said it would continue to hold red-shirt rallies on Utthayan (Aksa) Road and would fight to the end if someone tried to stage a coup or overthrow the democratic system in the country.

"We have a duty to defend democracy," UDD chairman Jatuporn Promphan said.

Urging Prayuth to stick to democratic principles in restoring peace in the country, Jatuporn recommended that the general ensure that all sides agreed to either an election or a public referendum on whether the general election should be held.

The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has staged a months-long protest against the government and called for reform before any election.

As required under the martial law, the PDRC yesterday agreed to vacate the Santi Maitri Building in Government House and cancel its planned marches.

PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, however, urged his supporters to continue rallying because they would need to shape the direction of Thailand's future.

Suthep also asked the Senate to name a new prime minister quickly - something the UDD has strongly opposed.

Satit Wongnongtaey, a PDRC co-leader, believed the martial law would benefit his group in that no violence would rock its rally sites again. Several PDRC demonstrators were killed and injured during the past months.

Phra Buddha Issara, another PDRC leader, has also interpreted the martial law as a good sign.

"At least it shows soldiers have the courage to help the country out of its crisis," he said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva announced on his Facebook page that his party would convene a meeting today to discuss the current situation.

According to Abhisit, the use of martial law may be able to restore order temporarily, but sustained stability requires a political solution. Security officials cannot achieve this on their own. It is the duty and responsibility of all stakeholders to continue their efforts to reach such a solution.


-- The Nation 2014-05-21

[EricBerg]

Why do Thai media have to keep publishing the opinion of the bad guy in Dubai? Keep someone sitting at a pc following the man's Twitter and Facebook account? The guy is a convicted criminal on the run. Don't give him the status of a statesman. ... "the imposition of martial law must not "destroy" democracy." ... As if massive vote-buying wouldn't destroy democracy.

The only interesting news will be when his diplomatic passport is revoked and an international arrest warrant is put out.

[NongKhaiKid]

" Pro-govt camp warns army against double standards, charter violations. "

Double standards ? Heaven forbid.

[smedly]

" Pro-govt camp warns army against double standards, charter violations. "

Double standards ? Heaven forbid.

astounding LMAO and also making demands already, this clown hasn't quite got a grip on what is playing out here - threats of violence and making demands outside the process will not be tolerated - quote

Urging Prayuth to stick to democratic principles in restoring peace in the country, Jatuporn recommended that the general ensure that all sides agreed to either an election or a public referendum on whether the general election should be held.

Jatuporn if that is what you would like to see then take it to the table and see if everyone else agrees - that is of course if you are invited - I don't think an election is on the cards in the near term, it has already been stated that reforms are needed first to ensure this situation never happens again and rightly so

Reform

Referendum

Election

I fail to see a problem with this and everybody is aware that the current system is a massive failure - 2 legs not 4

[Civil War]

Once again the pro government camp showing how hypocritical they are.

Bandying around words like 'democratic', 'constitutional', 'equal standards'..... as thought they have completely abided by those standards themselves.

In all my time, I have never known a government to operate with such disregard for those above principles with such an arrogant attitude, and then constantly spew out how everyone else is so wrong if they were seen to not be adhering to those same principles.... anyone who is not with their own camp that is.

I could lay down a list a mile long of all the breeches of these principles that the people have had to sit by and suck up.

It is also nice to see that there are still thinly veiled threats coming out of the red camp of rising up and 'fighting', and possible 'violence'. I assume that this rhetoric will increase steadily over the coming days and will get to a point where Prayuth is just going to send in troops to pluck out certain people and lock them up, and that could (should) include certain cabinet ministers.

[raybal5]

Once again the pro government camp showing how hypocritical they are.

In all my time, I have never known a government to operate with such disregard for those above principles with such an arrogant attitude, and then constantly spew out how everyone else is so wrong if they were seen to not be adhering to those same principles.... anyone who is not with their own camp that is.

You could have a look at the Australian Liberal Party. They are as hypocritical as they come and blatantly lied during the last elections. They have pretty much done everything they promised not to do. The only ones to benefit are those in their own camp.

[klauskunkel]

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a hugely controversial figure at the heart of the Kingdom's bitter political divide, said via Twitter yesterday that the imposition of martial law must not "destroy" democracy.

"The declaration of martial law is expected ... however, I hope no party will violate human rights and further destroy democracy," he said.

"...for that is my job, and mine alone!"

[wabothai]

How are you going to challenge the army, after they just have imposed martial law? The army has great responsiblity here. Thet will have to prove that a coup is not the answer to thailands problems.