"which has seen civil liberties eroded since the army declared martial law and seized power from an elected government last May." - THIS has got to be the biggest "fib" ever, since that so-called "democratically elected" government was wrought with Vote-Buying on an embarrassingly huge scale; Intimidation; so-called "Benficial Scheme Promises to benefit those population-groups who are vast in number, but very limited in understanding - and much more underhanded tactics ! ! If THAT is "democratically elected" - then pigs will soon start to fly . . . . . . .

Now; apparently, Thailand is "suffocating under a tough Military Junta" who has been "systematically curtailing democratic freedoms" . . . . well; I have lived/worked in this wonderful country for a little over 22 years and I can assure you that I am not suffocating; in fact - this country has never felt better and the only people who are feeling some pressure are those who strive to benefit (big time) over the backs of the working class in Thailand.

A number of years ago, I was asked what the best manner of "Government" would be ( for any nation) and the answer is very simple; it's called:

"a Benevolent Dictator"

and voila; here we have a very brave Thai' General, who stood-up in the middle of a very dire (for the country and its future !) situation and slammed his fist on the table and said: "Enough is Enough" ! ! !

General Prayuth is NOT out to, and/or motivated by GREED, but by the desire of ALL thinking Thai' people, to bring this country into the 21st Century in terms of re-organizing this society to where there's Equality, Freedom-from-Corruption and; Fair-Laws & Fair Legal- Institutions;- ultimately a DEMOCRACY to best serve the good people of Thailand !

General Prayuth and his efforts to achieve these goals (extremely difficult as it may seem !) is supported by the vast majority of Thais - and I, for one, salute him !

"General Prayuth is NOT out to, and/or motivated by GREED, but by the desire of ALL thinking Thai' people, to bring this country into the 21st Century in terms of re-organizing this society to where there's Equality, Freedom-from-Corruption and; Fair-Laws & Fair Legal- Institutions;- ultimately a DEMOCRACY to best serve the good people of Thailand !"

I can imagine almost without any doubt whatsoever that you are not qualified to make this claim. You base your belief on faith only. Not much 21st Century about that. The world isn't flat either, by the way.

"the only people who are feeling some pressure are those who strive to benefit (big time) over the backs of the working class in Thailand."

This is like Orwellian doublespeak. Fact is, it's precisely the working class in Thailand that are abused by the elite, whether that elite is red or yellow it has always sucked the blood out of the working classes. Nobody is fooled by your twisting of the truth.

"I am not suffocating; in fact - this country has never felt better"

As long as you feel good everyhting's OK then. Quite an infantile morality displayed there.

"...General Prayut's promise that Article 44 will be used constructively..."

The problem with this is someone with absolutely authority can deem anything he or she does as constructive, whether or not it really is constructive.

How about :

"Law breakers should be wary of all laws"

Those who don't break the law should have no problems at all.

Your posts really suffered once it became clear you can no longer justify anything in these news stories. You used to at least try to present a reasonable argument. Now look how low you've fallen to post "should have no problems", as opposed to 'will have no problems' and posting it like a four year old posts his letter to Santa.

Such absolute power, in the hands of a universally-revered/benevolent/wise/impartial person with impeccable integrity and a proven track record, might be more palatable.

Such a person is very rare, and none of the current cast of characters (Thaksin/Abhisit/Yingluck/Suthep/Prayuth) qualify.

H#ll, not even a TVF member qualify.

I guess we can also rule out another prominent figure, then. One who is ostensibly authorizing all this nonsense.

A majestic statement, if it were not for ignoring a little boy.

I think lets still give Prayut a chance, having to clean up a after a teenagers party, often takes a looooong time to clean up

At least they were allowed to party ?

How about :

"Law breakers should be wary of all laws"

Those who don't break the law should have no problems at all.

Law breakers should be wary of all laws unless they can grant themselves amnesty and forbid investigations of their activities. It helps if they can use Article 44 to ban anything that displeases them.

That's a bit long. How about:

"Law breakers should be wary of all laws, and Prayuth is now the law!"