Prayut promises to exercise absolute power 'constructively'

[webfact]

ARTICLE 44
Prayut promises to exercise absolute power 'constructively'
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday promised to exercise his powers under Article 44 of the provisional charter "in a constructive manner" - an apparent bid to allay concerns over a new order he will issue to replace martial law.

Prayut said he expected protesters to take to the streets and political leaders to challenge his government after the martial law was lifted. "I will not use Article 44 to persecute or threaten anyone. It will be invoked because there is the need. You should not be afraid of Article 44. In fact, martial law is tougher than Article 44, as it controls everything," he said.

Under Article 44 of the post-coup provisional charter, Prayut, in his capacity as leader of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), has the power to issue an order to disrupt or suppress any threat to public peace and order or national security.

When asked why he did not opt for the state of emergency law or the Internal Security Act, the PM said those legal measures were used by two previous governments and had failed to prevent severe political conflict.

"Do you think I will succeed with those laws?" he asked. "I will use Article 44 constructively and I won't use it to create more conflict."

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Prayut had just assigned him to look into legal issues regarding the plan to issue the order to replace martial law with Article 44 and he would explain the matter to the media today.

National Legislative Assembly president Phornphet Wichitcholchai voiced support for Prayut's plan as a mechanism to address security concerns.

Phornphet said Thailand's image in the eyes of the international community would be improved after martial law was lifted. He also expects the new order to boost unity and help the country achieve reconciliation under the NCPO's reform roadmap.

Other senior government figures also attempted to allay fears over Article 44.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said the aim was to maintain peace and order.

Deputy PM and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said that by invoking Article 44, the government would be able to prevent "bad people" from "doing bad things to the country". Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said he did not think Prayut would issue any order that went against the moral code.

Martial law vs Article 44

 Martial law gives the military widespread powers to conduct searches, make arrests, ban public gatherings or spread information. It clearly states the jurisdiction scope of the military courts, unlike Article 44, which does not state clearly what kind of cases can be heard by a military court or a civilian court.

 Article 44 gives the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order control over the administration, legislature and judiciary, although the provisional charter requires him to inform the National Legislative Assembly president and the prime minister after announcing an order under Article 44.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-promises-to-exercise-absolute-power-constru-30257096.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-31

[PatOngo]

Prayut promises to exercise absolute power 'constructively'

Costas will be absolutely thrilled no doubt...................in a constructive manner.

[NongKhaiKid]

Constructive for whom ?

[JoeLing]

Yeap, sure, sure. Same as he promised no coup

"Paiboon Koomchaya said he did not think Prayut would
issue any order that went against the moral code"
What morals?

Edited March 30, 2015 by JoeLing

[NongKhaiKid]

Yeap, sure, sure. Same as he promised no coup

Careful Joe, i was taken to task by one of his forum fans who claimed he never said it or that he didn't want to be PM.

[JoeLing]

Yeap, sure, sure. Same as he promised no coup

Careful Joe, i was taken to task by one of his forum fans who claimed he never said it or that he didn't want to be PM.

Na, I think he went to attitude adjustment

[EyesWideOpen]

His statements are becoming scarier by the day. I am out of here.

And yes, I will be careful to not let the door hit my posterior.... :-)

Edited March 30, 2015 by EyesWideOpen

[chooka]

Here Charlie Manson, a nice set of kitchen knives, now promise to use them constructively.

[cornishcarlos]

Glad I live down south, he thinks we all love him here. Or was that in a poll ?

Clown show

[chooka]

Constructive for whom ?

probably not journalists, the wall is probably being prepared now.

[NongKhaiKid]

Constructive for whom ?

probably not journalists, the wall is probably being prepared now.

Deputy PM General Prawit has stated there will ' definitely ' be no abuse of Article 44.

Thanks for that, I am so re-assured. A good sleep tonight.

[kotsak]

[LannaGuy]

do you think he really believes this? I'm saying this in a 'constructive' way

[JAG]

Yeap, sure, sure. Same as he promised no coup

Careful Joe, i was taken to task by one of his forum fans who claimed he never said it or that he didn't want to be PM.

Nothing wrong with rewriting the record. As long as it is done "constructively" of course!

Edited March 31, 2015 by JAG

[MaxLee]

Constructive for whom ?

probably not journalists, the wall is probably being prepared now.

And the fashions designers that sell sexy clothes as well as social media kiddies and teenies will also be witch hunted down Edited March 31, 2015 by MaxLee

[baboon]

Yeap, sure, sure. Same as he promised no coup

Careful Joe, i was taken to task by one of his forum fans who claimed he never said it or that he didn't want to be PM.

What is it with some posters who seem to imply the man is Satan in disguise? I for one see no disguise...

[bkkgooner]

The fact that he can only lead the country by using absolute power says it all really, this bloke is going to hanging around for a long time

[WhizBang]

Prayut promises to exercise absolute power 'constructively'

Yes, I am absolutely sure he will.... right up to the point where he doesn't. Given his temper, I doubt we will have to wait long.

[Songhua]

It's like letting Chucky loose at a slumber party.

[JOC]

 Article 44 gives the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order control over the administration, legislature and judiciary, although the provisional charter requires him to inform the National Legislative Assembly president and the prime minister after announcing an order under Article 44.<< Quote

See if I got this right?

To use article 44 Mr P needs to inform the president of the NLA (a lackey handpicked by Mr P)

and

inform the PM, which is Mr P (in other words, Mr P needs to inform Mr P)

As close to absolute power as you can come.

Scary!!

[SuwadeeS]

Who believes that?????

[h90]

The fact that he can only lead the country by using absolute power says it all really, this bloke is going to hanging around for a long time

how many coups in Thailand and how many did hang around for a long time?

[yellowboat]

Sounds a lot like "trust me" . Unquestionable power also means there will probably be no record of his misdeeds. There will be no retro impeachment for him if the Thai people are lucky enough have a record at all.

[DM07]

...but...but...but...85% of all Thais think he is great and the Junta is doing excellent work and all are dingdonghappyhappy...

So...why the need for "absolute power"...constructively or not?

Costas? Robby? ...anyone?

[RigPig]

"I will use Article 44 constructively and I won't use it to create more conflict."

or

¨Anyone in conflict with me will be removed¨

Phornphet said Thailand's image in the eyes of the international community would be improved after martial law was lifted.

He also expects the new order to boost unity and help the country achieve reconciliation under the NCPO's reform roadmap.

Can anyone in the NCPO read a roadmap?

[ldiablo]

NongKhaiKid. In the eyes of his delusional fan he did not say such things. We all know who you are referring too.

[Srikcir]

"When asked why he did not opt for the state of emergency law or the Internal Security Act, the PM said those legal measures were used by two previous governments and had failed to prevent severe political conflict."

Just for the record:

- when PM Yingluck requested the army's support for a legal state of emergency decree after the court refused the police to use nonlethal force against protesters, the army REFUSED. The army cabal NSC (now the NCPO) felt such support would be interpretated as political support for the PTP and the army considered itself nonpolitical.

- when PM Abhisit requested the army's support for a legal state of emergency to stop anti-government protesters , the army ACCEPTED. And subsequently, Deputy PM Suthep DIRECTED the army to use live munitions against the protesters and the army did fire upon protesters indiscriminantly with DEADLY FORCE.

But admittedly one could say the army failed to avert conflict in both administrations.

[ronwparker]

I'll believe that when I see it!

[yellowboat]

"When asked why he did not opt for the state of emergency law or the Internal Security Act, the PM said those legal measures were used by two previous governments and had failed to prevent severe political conflict."

Just for the record:

- when PM Yingluck requested the army's support for a legal state of emergency decree after the court refused the police to use nonlethal force against protesters, the army REFUSED. The army cabal NSC (now the NCPO) felt such support would be interpretated as political support for the PTP and the army considered itself nonpolitical.

- when PM Abhisit requested the army's support for a legal state of emergency to stop anti-government protesters , the army ACCEPTED. And subsequently, Deputy PM Suthep DIRECTED the army to use live munitions against the protesters and the army did fire upon protesters indiscriminantly with DEADLY FORCE.

But admittedly one could say the army failed to avert conflict in both administrations.

That is the way history will tell it.

[toybits]

I am having a difficult time assessing whether to believe this or not as it is too close to the 1st of April.