Government will stick to the road map: Thai ministers

[webfact]

POLITICS
Government will stick to the road map: ministers
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- KEY GOVERNMENT FIGURES yesterday ruled out the possibility of delaying an election in order to complete reforms, insisting that the authorities must comply with the interim charter and its "road map to democracy". However, if the new charter draft is rejected, it will delay elections until 2017.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam dismissed the suggestion from Suthep Thaugsuban, chairman of the People's Democratic Reform Foundation (PDRF), for the government to stay in power and complete "reforms" before holding an election.

"People can voice their opinions. The government has the obligation to stick to its road-map commitment. If there is any situation that causes us to deviate from the obligations, it will be accidental," Wissanu said.

He said he did not believe Suthep would put pressure on the government to continue its administration to reform the country. "Suthep may be pressuring others such as the National Reform Council [NRC], but that's what he said before May 22 last year."

Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, meanwhile, said the government would adhere to the road map. "Whatever we told the people, we have to do that. It is not just the Thai people, but the world community because we have given a promise to the people and the world. We must conform to that, otherwise we will be blamed,'' he said.

PM's Office Minister Suwaphan Tanyuvardhana also dismissed Suthep's call for "reform before election", saying the PM has insisted on adhering to the government's road map.

National Legislative Assembly president Pornphetch Wichitcholchai yesterday said the government had to abide by the interim charter imposed after last year's coup and the stated route back to democracy.

Wissanu said NRC member Wanchai Sornsiri had the right to call for the council to vote down the charter but he must not present his proposal as a desire of the government or the military's ruling National Council for Peace and Order.

"The PM has reiterated many times that he has to stick to the road map," he said.

The deputy prime minister said that if the road map was followed smoothly, a general election could be held by September next year, if the NRC accepts the charter this September and the draft passes the plebiscite next January. Two months are needed to draft organic laws related to the constitution and the NLA would take three months to deliberate those laws. The Constitution Court then would take one month to review the laws. Another three months are needed to organise a general election.

"But if the charter is rejected, it would delay the election by about 19 months" from next month, he said.

Meanwhile, the PDRF denied that its call for completion of reforms before the election would disrupt the road map. It said reforms were good for all, and expressed readiness to shake hands with the red shirts for the sake of Thailand.

PDRF secretary Akanat Promphan clarified that the foundation had called for the parties concerned to complete their tasks and send their work within the time frame.

On his personal Facebook page, Akanat emphasised that the foundation's first mission was to recruit people who have the same commitment as the foundation, to protect national and Thai interests, and to support "reforms".

Akanat stressed that the foundation's goal was not political benefit, hence it was not the friend or foe of any political parties. The PDRF is willing to work with Pheu Thai only if they do not seek to push for amnesty to whitewash corrupt politicians.

"We started off similarly, as a mass people's movement. To be honest, I respect the red shirts' demands. I only oppose the anti-monarchy movement, the use of force and separatism. If reform succeeds, it'll bring about benefits to all colour-coded people. Even though we seemed like rivals in the past, if we share the wish for our country's good, then we should come together and develop and reform our country with goodwill," Akanat said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Government-will-stick-to-the-road-map-ministers-30265853.html


-- The Nation 2015-08-04

[bangkokfrog]

Which "road map" are they talking about. I seem to recall that the original post-coup map had them all resigning about now with elections next month. Me thinks that the maps will be re-drawn again before too long if things don't suit them.

[SABloke]

"Whatever we told the people, we have to do that...''

So...elections next month it is then

[BigBadGeordie]

"The government has the obligation to stick to its road-map commitment."

"Any deviations will be accidental"

Edited August 3, 2015 by BigBadGeordie

[bamnutsak]

insisting that the authorities must comply with the interim charter

Yes, this always works.

The authorities can change the charter, but of course a duly elected legislative body cannot.

[Srikcir]

"the PM has insisted on adhering to the government's road map."

This roadmap is Prayut's NCPO political agenda. The only role the government has is to deliver it according to the NCPO's timetable.

It has nothing to do with the desires of the Thai people.

[JAG]

"Whatever we told the people, we have to do that...''

So...elections next month it is then

Oh no, not another booze free weekend