Martial law still needed but will be eased: PM Prayuth

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TOURISM
Martial law still needed but will be eased: PM
Business Reporters
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha insisted yesterday the junta would maintain martial law for the purpose of long-term security, but relaxation would be considered step by step when the situation improved.

I have said many times that we would consider security and order in the long run. Don't rush, we would consider [easing the law] step by step," Prayut told reporters after a joint meeting between the Cabinet and the National Council for Peace and Order, of which he is the head.

It was the first meeting between the two agencies, which share several members, to review the tasks and division of labour for each.

Prime Minister Prayut said he had to explain progress in the work for reform and reconciliation every day - but many Thai people did not understand and made a lot of demands.

"I don't understand what they are thinking so the media should help me build confidence. I'm tired and all ministers and officials work hard. Please do not criticise everything and please give us a chance," he said.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said the meeting between the Cabinet and the junta did not discuss martial law. The premier told the meeting that lifting of martial law depended on the security situation, he said. Martial law is the biggest concern among the business community, notably the tourism sector, as it has psychological implications for many economic activities.

Boontuck Wungcharoen, chairman of the Thai Bankers' Association, said if martial law was lifted in some tourist cities it would help stimulate the tourism sector during the high season. Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said lifting of the martial law in some areas where there are no security concerns, would also make it easier for tourists to acquire travel insurance - but the final decision still rested with the government since it was a matter of national security.

"The lifting of the martial law nationwide is a matter for the government to decide, as it has to look at factors regarding security and stability of the country. It is up to insurance companies to decide - but I believe they can give insurance [cover] to visitors who wish to visit cities not under martial law, once it is lifted in some provinces," Supant added.

Meanwhile, Pornthip Hirunkate, a committee member of Tourism Council of Thailand, said Thai tourism would continue to face difficulty as long as the government maintained martial law. The entire tourism sector may lose huge business over the next three to four months when the country enters the annual high season.

"During the high season, the country gets about 10 million visitors or 40 per cent of total arrivals. But this year, we may not see that number amid concerns about security," she said, adding that hotels might have little business during Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Supawan Tanomkieatipume, vice president for marketing at Thai Hotels Association (THA), said the martial law would affect the confidence of tourists. Moreover, hotel businesses especially in Bangkok will continue to suffer through the high season as well.

"Martial law should be lifted soon. If it continues, the tourism sector will continue to face difficulties," she said.

According to Anake Srichevachart, president of Thai-Japan Tourism Business Association, travel operators overseas will not promote Thailand if martial law stayed in place.

The private sector had expecting martial law to be lifted but has been disappointed.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Martial-law-still-needed-but-will-be-eased-PM-30244999.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-08

[Suriya4]

Most thais likes the martial law as it keep the bad people like murders and rapists away from the society. Since prayuth took over, everyone is so happy, suddenly all protest stopped (move to hk).

[4evermaat]

What parts of martial law are still enacted that are noticable?

[ATF]

What parts of martial law are still enacted that are noticable?

Bars can't stay open all night.

[alant]

What parts of martial law are still enacted that are noticable?

The travel advice from the countries that contribute to tourism and or the insurance / tour operators.

[fab4]

What parts of martial law are still enacted that are noticable?

Depends on what you mean as "noticeable". If you mean what does it mean to you , probably not a lot, but that would be ignoring the insidious nature of Martial Law. That includes censorship (frequently couched in "friendly" terminology like "don't be critical", give us more time" etc. but being able to be enforced more rigorously ) and allowing the army to do the following;

Tell local authorities what to do;

Set up military courts to hear criminal cases;

Have full powers of search, compulsory requisition, seizure, occupation or destroy "any place" and "turn out" persons.

Have wide powers to search anyone or anything;

Inspect books, printed matter, newspapers, verses or poems;

Prohibit meetings, distribution of printed matter, advertising, radio or TV programmes,

Block roads, railways, water transport or airports;

Prohibit possession of and seize weapons or anything that might be used to harm people or property;

Set curfews;

Bar people from certain areas.

It's not that the Army is doing these things, the problem is the fact that they can do any of these things, that normal people (junta punters excluded) should be worried about.

Edited October 8, 2014 by fab4

[Chris Lawrence]

What parts of martial law are still enacted that are noticable?

The media.

The spin doctors.

Can't criticize the General.

NCPO and its wide ranging powers

The power of the armed forces.

Bangkok out-of-towners have a limited say in planning road map and government.

Propaganda delivered to make everyone more happy.

Can't ask General questions.

Still can't meet as a group in public or demonstrate

Some members of the Government will not give their net worth or their wealth holdings

Constituion is being re-written with limited input from the whole of Thailand

Martial law or this coup is a representation of a minority.

Edited October 8, 2014 by Chris Lawrence

[baboon]

"I am tired and all ministers and officials work hard."

Please feel free to step down at any point...

[quandow]

I have too many friends around the world that have sworn off Thailand until martial law is completely lifted, and I'm sure there are plenty of tourists taking their money elsewhere. Martial law is supposed to be used in times of dire emergency, and that passed long ago. This is just a control issue from a military mind who is in WAY over his head and won't do the introspection neccesary for a national leader to be effective. The rest of the world is looking at Thailand and laughing their heads off at the shennanigans.

[emilymat]

What parts of martial law are still enacted that are noticable?

Well, I know it sounds trivial, but for 5 months I have been unable to listen to the English language radio stations.

In other words, it is considered subversive in some way to listen to music, travel information, the local news etc etc.

That's to add to the list of othe post replies.

Ironically, I could listen on line if I wished and also to all the UK radio stations, but the simple act of pottering about the house during the day with the radio on in the background is forbidden.

[Nickymaster]

Martial law has had no negative effect on me, my friends/family and my business...at all. Violence has significantly decreased therefor I hope they keep it in place for the time being.

[JOC]

Martial law has had no negative effect on me, my friends/family and my business...at all. Violence has significantly decreased therefor I hope they keep it in place for the time being.

Thats the spirit!!! <deleted> democracy as long as I make money!!

[Nickymaster]

Martial law has had no negative effect on me, my friends/family and my business...at all. Violence has significantly decreased therefor I hope they keep it in place for the time being.

Thats the spirit!!! <deleted> democracy as long as I make money!!

Stupid comment.

[Madison blue]

this is a complete joke! what martial law!?!? on koh phangan all of the "illegal" parties continue until dawn, all the farang are still working illegally whilst on tourist or ED visas, all the farang dj's are still selling loads of drugs at the parties, illegal migrant workers are still employed everywhere, etc etc etc! there is no martial law on this island, only the same same mafia/police operating business as usual. why are they even discussing martial law???

[heybruce]

Martial law has had no negative effect on me, my friends/family and my business...at all. Violence has significantly decreased therefor I hope they keep it in place for the time being.

Good for you. Can you and your friends and family spend as much as all the tourists who have been scared away by martial law would have spent? The economy really could use the help.

[rubl]

Martial law has had no negative effect on me, my friends/family and my business...at all. Violence has significantly decreased therefor I hope they keep it in place for the time being.

Good for you. Can you and your friends and family spend as much as all the tourists who have been scared away by martial law would have spent? The economy really could use the help.

Can't be that bad. I just read tourists even flock to the full moon parties at Koh Phangan. It seems the President of the Tourist Association of Koh Samui has said that local tourism had returned to normal with little to no impact from the Koh Tao murders.

If tourists are so likely to forget two murders, what's the chance they remember there was a coup and Martial Law is in place ?

[Madison blue]

...they don't need to remember! there is NO martial law on these three islands (koh Tao, koh phangan, koh samui) down here! NOTHING has changed. it's same same as it ever was, illegal parties until dawn, oodles of illegally working farang, police/mafia operating as usual, etc etc etc. tourism on these islands has not changed. nothing has changed. it's a joke that martial law is even being discussed! everyone knows who runs these islands and everyone knows it's NOT the military...

[Jackson86]

as long as Prayuth is PM, martial law will not go away so easily. Thai economic growth is somewhat restricted to short-term speculations but no long-term vision.

[Local Drunk]

Don't do it...

[h90]

What parts of martial law are still enacted that are noticable?

Depends on what you mean as "noticeable". If you mean what does it mean to you , probably not a lot, but that would be ignoring the insidious nature of Martial Law. That includes censorship (frequently couched in "friendly" terminology like "don't be critical", give us more time" etc. but being able to be enforced more rigorously ) and allowing the army to do the following;

Tell local authorities what to do;

Set up military courts to hear criminal cases;

Have full powers of search, compulsory requisition, seizure, occupation or destroy "any place" and "turn out" persons.

Have wide powers to search anyone or anything;

Inspect books, printed matter, newspapers, verses or poems;

Prohibit meetings, distribution of printed matter, advertising, radio or TV programmes,

Block roads, railways, water transport or airports;

Prohibit possession of and seize weapons or anything that might be used to harm people or property;

Set curfews;

Bar people from certain areas.

It's not that the Army is doing these things, the problem is the fact that they can do any of these things, that normal people (junta punters excluded) should be worried about.

And with these searches they found huge stashes of war weapons at the red shirts. So it is the red shirts who should be worried about it. Somchai the taxi driver won't be searched and even if he get it is just a minor inconvenience if he has no RPG in the car.

[h90]

What parts of martial law are still enacted that are noticable?

The media.

The spin doctors.

Can't criticize the General.

NCPO and its wide ranging powers

The power of the armed forces.

Bangkok out-of-towners have a limited say in planning road map and government.

Propaganda delivered to make everyone more happy.

Can't ask General questions.

Still can't meet as a group in public or demonstrate

Some members of the Government will not give their net worth or their wealth holdings

Constituion is being re-written with limited input from the whole of Thailand

Martial law or this coup is a representation of a minority.

So pretty much the same as before the coup.