As the junta moves quickly ahead with its efforts to solve long-standing problems, the area in front of army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue has become a frenetic scene as people from across the country turn up to complain, seek help and propose changes.
During the first few hours of the work day on Thursday, five groups of people had already shown up to file petitions with the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), appealing for solutions to their problems or to back their causes.
A Lampang district chief, Narin Wannamahin, submitted a letter to NCPO chief Prayuth Chan-ocha, asking him to fast track the issuing of title deeds to 600 plots of land in Mae Mo. He said villagers had been waiting for land certificates for 25 years and the issue had been put on the cabinet agenda, but nothing had happened since the December dissolution of parliament.
About 40 people from three tambons of Muak Lek district, Saraburi, came to oppose a local company’s proposal to carry out a survey to determine potential gold mining operations in an area under the Sor Por Kor land reform scheme. They said the mining concession, if granted, would create environmental impacts on 10,000 farming and dairy cattle raising households.
Pian Chaitip, secretary-general of Palang Udon Party, proposed recommendations on spending budgets effectively, particularly those involved in flood control and water resources management schemes.
Residents from Sam Roi Yot district of Prachuap Khiri Khan wanted the NCPO to demolish a house and a resort built on a beach by an investor and reclaim the land for public use.
They accused local authorities of illegally granting approval to build the facility.
A group which calls itself "Free Thai Legal Aid" (FTLA) demanded the junta revoke its order that offenders in lese majeste and security-related cases be subject to court martial proceedings and try them in civilian courts instead.
The group also warned the NCPO about setting up five panels to monitor content in all branches of the media, saying it must proceed with truth, transparency and good governance or its policies would not be approved by the public.