Prayuth gets backing on lese majeste | Bangkok Post: news

Deputy prime ministers Chalerm Yubamrung and Yutthasak Sasiprapa on Tuesday gave their support to national army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha's stand against a group of seven Thammasat law professors who want to change the lese majeste law.

Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa (left) and national army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha

Mr Chalerm said he fully supported Gen Prayuth's opposition to changing Section 112 of the Criminal Code relating to lese majeste.

He called on other armed forces commanders to voice their support for Gen Prayuth on this issue.

"I want to ask the Nitirat group - what can they do if the political sector does not want to amend Section 112? They are not the lawmakers," Mr Chalerm said.

Mr Yutthasak also said he agreed with the army chief. The Nitirat academics should call off their movement, but the authorities should not limit their rights or freedom.

"Some issues should not be raised because they might create division in the country, and anything that defames the monarchy or hurts the Thai people should not be brought up," Gen Yutthasak said.

Navy chief Surasak Roonruangwong said Nitirat would not succeed in getting the lese majeste law amended and should cease their efforts.

"I think all the armed forces are following this group's activities to see if it will affect national security. I agree with the majority of people that the campaign serves no purpose at all," Adm Surasak said.

The navy commander-in-chief chief said he wanted all those involved to bear in mind that the country is in existence today because past kings made sacrifices for the kingdom.

"We have to uphold the high institution. I think they [Nitirat] should call a halt to their movement for the sake of national security and unity," he said.