Junta may call HRW rep over 'wrong' info

[Lite Beer]

Junta may call HRW rep over 'wrong' info
THE SUNDAY NATION

BANGKOK: -- Amendment of Act will not change rule on detention of civilians, NCPO clarifies

THE National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) is considering whether to meet a local representative from Human Rights Watch (HRW) in order to clarify what the junta considers a misunderstanding over the proposed amendment of the 1995 Act on Organisation of Military Courts.

HRW and other rights bodies claimed the proposed amendment could allow detention of civilians by a military court for 84 days without judicial oversight. NCPO spokesperson Colonel Winthai Suvari said HRW had got it wrong and should carefully check facts before making comments, as it would affect its own credibility.

"I insist there's no attempt to amend the 1995 Act on the Organisation of Military Courts that would increase the authority of the Army to detain civilians for 84 days as claimed.

"At present, the detention of both military personnel and civilians, unless caused by necessary circumstances beyond control, requires investigating officers or police to seek an arrest warrant from the courts - be it military or other courts," said Winthai.

He said the proposed amendment would only affect military personnel who break the law and is in line or close to international norms. He added that Army chief General Udomdej Sitabutr, who's also secretary-general of the NCPO, has stressed that the NCPO wants to see fair and accurate criticism.

Asked if the NCPO would invite HRW to issue the clarification, Winthai said it would be up to the commanders to decide at a future date.

A military source said Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha is concerned about the issue and will hold a meeting to discuss the matter.

"So far when inaccurate information is presented, we have depended on giving interviews to the media in order to clarify. It's always been like that. So we're looking if there're other ways to solve the problem at the very root. The problem is, Human Rights Watch is an organisation that is based abroad. And the person who made the comment resides abroad so what authority would the NCPO have to invite them over? This matter will have to be discussed."

A military source, who asked not to be named, acknowledged the possibility of inviting the Thailand representative of HRW, but it will have to be discussed again.

In a related development, deputy spokesperson Maj-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd defended the continued imposition of martial law and the detention of civilians. He said the European Union delegation to Thailand that had criticised the detention of civilians by military courts on Friday should try to understand that Thailand needs to maintain martial law in order to steer the Kingdom towards "full democracy" under the roadmap.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Junta-may-call-HRW-rep-over-wrong-info-30254114.html

-- The Nation 2015-02-15

[ExPratt]

He said the European Union delegation to Thailand that had criticised the detention of civilians by military courts on Friday should try to understand that Thailand needs to maintain martial law in order to steer the Kingdom towards "full democracy" under the roadmap.

Whats "Full Democracy" then , I thought we already had that up until May last year

[NeverSure]

They forgot the "of it" part of full.

[ExPratt]

Maybe its a Typing error and they mean "Fool Democracy" ?

[noitom]

The Thais want HRW eo clearly understand that Thailand is "special" and therefore statements and guidelines that apply to others do not apply to Thailand. HRW and others should be forewarned that they will have to stand up to a Thai tongue lashing if they don't get this or if they misrepresent what the Thais are wanting to do.

[chooka]

He said the European Union delegation to Thailand that had criticised the detention of civilians by military courts on Friday should try to understand that Thailand needs to maintain martial law in order to steer the Kingdom towards "full democracy" under the roadmap.

Whats "Full Democracy" then , I thought we already had that up until May last year

full democracy means future governments will still have to tow the Junta line and follow the orders of the military or be punished.

[ExPratt]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

He said the European Union delegation to Thailand that had criticised the detention of civilians by military courts on Friday should try to understand that Thailand needs to maintain martial law in order to steer the Kingdom towards "full democracy" under the roadmap.

Whats "Full Democracy" then , I thought we already had that up until May last year

full democracy means future governments will still have to tow the Junta line and follow the orders of the military or be punished.

So its a kind of futuristic , highly evolved Democracy where peoples votes don't actually mean anything.

[Fatty123]

Thailand will foerver be stuck in the dark ages until they stop thinking that normal rules donlt apply to them. Purely on the basis of being Thai. The world is not a fairy story, Thailand. Democracy is democracy. As in, vote for whom you like. First past the post, an overall majority or a proportional system. All are fine.

Anything esle is nonsense.

[NongKhaiKid]

He said the European Union delegation to Thailand that had criticised the detention of civilians by military courts on Friday should try to understand that Thailand needs to maintain martial law in order to steer the Kingdom towards "full democracy" under the roadmap.

Whats "Full Democracy" then , I thought we already had that up until May last year

full democracy means future governments will still have to tow the Junta line and follow the orders of the military or be punished.

i was going to say the current situation is like a Christmas Pantomime but in fact it's not ' like ', it already is.

As for the panto reference I see future govts asking the public ' where's the military ? " and the the screams in response are " behind you ".

[aimbc]

Maybe its a Typing error and they mean "Fool Democracy" ?

You must be referring to YL administration.

[Commerce]

Seems the new Thai constitution may well refer to a new Thai definition of 'democracy'. I believe that may entail democracy being defined as the inverse of Aristotle's polity, wherein a Thai democracy might provide for any tyrranical dictator with armed power to hold on to leadership by using any means possible. Of course, this is in complete contrast to Aristotle's polity, which describes a democracy as having a benevolent leader who is all for the good of the people and not himself, as generally thought to be represented by Western democracy {in part}.

[TheDiva]

No-one's been this misunderstood since The Animals in 1965

[recycler]

Stupid farang never understand anything about Thailand!

[NeilSA1]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

So its a kind of futuristic , highly evolved Democracy where peoples votes don't actually mean anything.

Talking about the previous administration then ?

[RigPig]

They don´t want to pay for the airfare of the person(s) responsible for their attitude readjustment, so they will hold a meeting to see how they can censor them.

Thinking and criticism...BAD, you must learn to conform.......

[bikerbri]

Stupid farang never understand anything about Thailand!

Are you referring to all Farangs or just the ones you know? Anyway can you tell this Farang what it is I need to understand?

[rickirs]

“HRW and other rights bodies claimed the proposed amendment could allow detention of civilians by a military court for 84 days without judicial oversight.”

HRW clearly misunderstands this amendment. As the NCPO already has judicial authority under Article 44 of the Interim Charter, it will be providing any necessary oversight in detention of civilians. At worse the amendment is redundant.

It may be time for the HRW to be “invited” to an attitude adjustment meeting so that the Junta can “help” them better understand what no one else in the world can understand. But I am sure that within the next couple weeks there will be a NIDA or TRICHA survey whose results will prove that 95% of respondents agree with the having amendment

[rickirs]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Seems the new Thai constitution may well refer to a new Thai definition of 'democracy'. I believe that may entail democracy being defined as the inverse of Aristotle's polity, wherein a Thai democracy might provide for any tyrranical dictator with armed power to hold on to leadership by using any means possible. Of course, this is in complete contrast to Aristotle's polity, which describes a democracy as having a benevolent leader who is all for the good of the people and not himself, as generally thought to be represented by Western democracy {in part}.

The Junta poultry is entitled to its own definition.

[rickirs]

Maybe its a Typing error and they mean "Fool Democracy" ?

You must be referring to YL administration.

The YL admininstration were "fools" to think that they could operate a "democracy" burdened with junta handpicked independent organizations, judicial system, and handcrafted constitution. They were fools to take Article 2 of the 2007 Constitution at face value: "Thailand adopts a democratic regime of government." And finally, they were fools to believe that the military would not again violate the constitution and overthrow the government.

Edited February 15, 2015 by rickirs

[tif]

He said the European Union delegation to Thailand that had criticised the detention of civilians by military courts on Friday should try to understand that Thailand needs to maintain martial law in order to steer the Kingdom towards "full democracy" under the roadmap.

Whats "Full Democracy" then , I thought we already had that up until May last year

There was as much democracy under the previous incumbents as there is now. The PTP applied the rule of law to suit themselves only. Posters forget the public being effectively barred from meetings on local issues such as waterways et al if it didn't suit the PTP's, namely Plodsaprop's, vested interests. There's a special place in hell for him and his Chiang Mai zoo animal restaurant and 'If you don't vote for us we will withhold government funding' and 'protesters are garbage' speeches.

As to 'full democracy', there's either democracy or not, same with 'truth'. Both concepts appear to be alien to the Thai psyche.

[Alwyn]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

So its a kind of futuristic , highly evolved Democracy where peoples votes don't actually mean anything.

Talking about the previous administration then ?

I think he means people like you. People voted in a government, other people don't like it so itthe votes don't count because it wasn't what people you wanted. I hope that clears it up for you.

[WhamBam]

No-one's been this misunderstood since The Animals in 1965

That is a song I do remember well.

[soalbundy]

He said the European Union delegation to Thailand that had criticised the detention of civilians by military courts on Friday should try to understand that Thailand needs to maintain martial law in order to steer the Kingdom towards "full democracy" under the roadmap.

Whats "Full Democracy" then , I thought we already had that up until May last year

How can there have been full democracy with rampant corruption in all state departments and a judiciary that is more than questionable. If money can get you grace and favour and a 'get out of jail ticket'' then there never has been democracy in Thailand. I am even naive to believe that the general / PM has good intentions or started out with them but he has never really lived in a democratic state and his profession hardly carries a torch for democracy. He is feeling his way forward, blind folded in the dark but if he can combat corruption in a non partisan way then he would have made his legacy by merely doing that. He is operating with the rules of the parade ground because he doesn't know any other way.

[arrowsdawdle]

The Thais want HRW eo clearly understand that Thailand is "special" and therefore statements and guidelines that apply to others do not apply to Thailand. HRW and others should be forewarned that they will have to stand up to a Thai tongue lashing if they don't get this or if they misrepresent what the Thais are wanting to do.

They may decide to call HRW in for an 'attitude adjustment.'

[visionchaser45]

The Junta finds itself having to do a lot of "clarifying." It seems that everyone develops his or her own understanding and it is the Junta's job to ensure everyone has the "correct" understanding.

[winstonc]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

He said the European Union delegation to Thailand that had criticised the detention of civilians by military courts on Friday should try to understand that Thailand needs to maintain martial law in order to steer the Kingdom towards "full democracy" under the roadmap.

Whats "Full Democracy" then , I thought we already had that up until May last year

full democracy means future governments will still have to tow the Junta line and follow the orders of the military or be punished.

So its a kind of futuristic , highly evolved Democracy where peoples votes don't actually mean anything.

did they ever..in any country..

[visionchaser45]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

He said the European Union delegation to Thailand that had criticised the detention of civilians by military courts on Friday should try to understand that Thailand needs to maintain martial law in order to steer the Kingdom towards "full democracy" under the roadmap.

Whats "Full Democracy" then , I thought we already had that up until May last year

full democracy means future governments will still have to tow the Junta line and follow the orders of the military or be punished.

So its a kind of futuristic , highly evolved Democracy where peoples votes don't actually mean anything.

did they ever..in any country..

It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.

Winston Churchill