Thai PM fears 'undercurrents' of unrest would jeopardise peace if martial law lifted

[webfact]

PM fears 'undercurrents' of unrest would jeopardise peace if martial law lifted
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he was considering lifting martial law but was concerned that undercurrents of political unrest still exist.

"You [the people] need to help me. If you ask me to lift martial law who will take responsibility if anything happens or the reform process fails?" he said. "It would be me who has to take the sole responsibility."

He said he realised martial law was not in keeping with democracy in the eyes of the international community, but he needed to put the country first and protect the public.

Asked if he would consider talking to the political parties, he replied: "Why do I have to talk with them? They need to follow the law like everyone."

The premier will chair a joint meeting of the Cabinet and the National Council for Peace and Order today to review their tasks.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-fears-undercurrents-of-unrest-would-jeopardise--30244904.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-07

[EricBerg]

Yep, the great undercurrent in Dubai is laying low for the time being, waiting to rise again.

[benalibina]

They need to follow the law like everyone."

He set a good example himself.......what a country what a country what a country !!

[bkkgooner]

Now let's see how his younger brother managed to become so outrageously wealthy for someone who is a soldier.

[noitom]

We should have access to CVs of these Thai military folks and there should be full disclosure of assets. The general is correct to maintain martial law. Keep the Thais obedient and quiet so that they stay in their place.

[Mango Bob]

They are going to raise up now or later, but it will happen.

[yellowboat]

Not involving political parties in discussions reflects badly on him and the Junta. Martial law is bad, but his dictatorship attitude makes things worse. Not having political parties involved means the population is not represented. Not sure how he will make way for democracy without involving the public.

[webfact]

PM says martial to remain in effect due to persistence of unfavourable activities

BANGKOK, 7 October 2014 (NNT) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asserted martial law will remain in effect due to the fact that political movements still persist.

According to General Prayut, martial law needs to be kept in place to prevent mishaps that may be perpetrated if martial law is not in place. He said that in such event, he would have to take responsibility as head of the National Council for Peace and Order. He added that his coming to office had no hidden agendas, and asked for the public to give him moral support, and allow him time to do his work.

On the same day, Army Chief Udomdet Sitabutr said the military needed to keep martial law in effect in order for it to oversee the situation in the nation at present. The military must have full confidence that situations can be handled before lifting martial law.


-- NNT 2014-10-07

[Boxclever]

"Asked if he would consider talking to the political parties, he replied: "Why do I have to talk with them? They need to follow the law like everyone."

Spoken like a true dictator...

[jimbeam1]

By any other name a dictator is still a dictator.

OK I'll pack my bags then.

jb1

[airconsult]

And of course this has no affect on tour groups during the high season (travel insurance).

I'm still betting that large investments like VW are struggling with their lawyers right now to go ahead. After all - corporate legal isn't very prone to optimism or future promises.

[outsider]

Oh come on!!! "undercurrents of political unrest" will ALWAYS exist!!! Sheesh...

[bkkfaranguy]

I thought there was a poll last week that said 97% of Thai's where happy and approved of the Junta, he should have nothing to worry about!

[JOC]

A very dangerous undercurrent called democracy, as in one person one vote!!

[Estrada]

If martial law is not lifted soon there is more likely to be an overcurrent of unrest.

[billd766]

Now let's see how his younger brother managed to become so outrageously wealthy for someone who is a soldier.

It would be nice to see how (legally) a poor country country person can be exempted from the "honest mistake" of putting a lot of his assets into the names of his families servants and get even more wealthy.

[laolover88]

Martial Law should be removed with the exception that the RTP remain under it.

[MikeThaison]

Look, if the PM can make the Thai bureaucracy do a complete 180, then I am for it. Corruption and nepotism, runs so deep in this part of the world. I have never heard of a benevolent dictator, but this old guy got some balls if he thinks he can be one.

Democracy may not be the most efficient way of governing, but everyone should have a voice and a platform to voice their grievances. Some of the recent moves by the gov have troubled me. Even the beach-side vendors, jet ski mafia and other sidewalk market vendors, as much as we may dislike them, deserve to be heard and represented in any government. Undocumented workers and expats all deserve a spot at the table if Thailand is going to the 'hub of ASEAN.'

Edited October 7, 2014 by MikeThaison

[Thanet]

Ha ha - you are right.

After all, coups are great examples of following the law..

The hypocrisy of this man is nothing short of astounding.

[sweatalot]

We should have access to CVs of these Thai military folks and there should be full disclosure of assets. The general is correct to maintain martial law. Keep the Thais obedient and quiet so that they stay in their place.

What about the CVs of the Thai police folks and shouldn't there be full disclosure of assets.?

[kaobang]

dear dictator Prayuth.sorry if people have their own beliefs

https://twitter.com/pakhead

some pics of the "returning happiness to the people " edition 1976

[tim armstrong]

I still think he is doing a good job. But he knows like everyone else that the old guard on both sides now has time to develop new strategies to return to their idea of status quo. Until there are constitutional changes in place that at least limit the past levels of corruption there will indeed be undercurrents. Agree with him, the country is not ready yet for a lifting if martial law.

[chainarong]

If things are so bad in Thailand that Martial law cannot be successfully lifted then you are indeed in big trouble, because eventually you will have to lift this draconian law to find what--- nothing has changed , what then was the whole purpose of this coup, if it was a misguided notion that it would bring Thailand together , who was the donkey who thought of that, everyone jumped the gun, you see nothing has changed, except the faces, the deck chairs on the Thaitanic are still in the same position, all the players are in the wings waiting and wait they will, till the right time and the right place, Thailand , as I have stated many times , has big problems and that is what happens when one person can divide a nation , it causes untold damage, but then again if the top end of town had treated the country people with more respect this might not have happened , so ask yourselves who is to blame.

[belg]

democracy, thailand is / was never ready for that WESTERN concept

[FangFerang]

They already passed a law that states protests can only be one day affairs in Bangkok - 9-5, so the provinces have already been denied the ability to protest in the capital. Literally, it means Suthep can do it again, but no one else can.

"Asked if he would consider talking to the political parties, he replied: "Why do I have to talk with them? They need to follow the law like everyone."

Ok. No problem. Mai pen rai. None of these disenfranchised people will complain, ever.

[tullynagardy]

but he needed to put the country first

Unless the country means him and all the other hiso millionaires in the NLA I beg to differ.

[WhamBam]

I am the King of the Castle so why should I talk to the Serfs.

It seems to me that this particular King of the Castle is not as comfortable as he would wish to be if he is worried about lifting Marshal law. All those televised addresses for Happy Thailand may not be working too well after all?

And democracy will never come about without discussion with other people and parties.

[CiaranO]

The reason he won't resiend martial law is once gone people will have the right to protest and speak their mind. This is something he Balt needs to control.

[tbthailand]

dear dictator Prayuth.sorry if people have their own beliefs

https://twitter.com/pakhead

some pics of the "returning happiness to the people " edition 1976

yesterday was a day some people still remembered - thx for the pics

[tbthailand]

control is the name of your game

keep the lid on the pressure cooker for ever dear 'PM'.

someday it will blow up in your face