Prayut won't bow to early poll demands

Prayut won't bow to early poll demands

Prime Minister Prayut told the media there is no way he will to bow to the protesters demanding an election within 2018 as he previously promised. (Post Today photo)
Prime Minister Prayut told the media there is no way he will to bow to the protesters demanding an election within 2018 as he previously promised. (Post Today photo)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has refused to bow to the demands of pro-election activists calling for a swift general election, saying the poll will not take place until early next year.

Speaking after Tuesday's cabinet meeting, Gen Prayut brushed aside the activists' demand that the government hold an election this year.

"I already said that things must go according to my schedule. That is in early 2019. No earlier than that. I have to stand by my word. It has been delayed for three to four months due to legal technicalities," Gen Prayut said.

The demonstrators, known as "People who want an election", and led by the Democracy Restoration Group (DRG), tried to pressure the government into holding a general election by November this year as previously promised by the prime minister despite a more recent proposal of a new February 2019 date.

The activists are also demanding the NCPO step down before the poll and that the military should stop supporting the council.

Gen Prayut said the government has tried to be lenient with the protesters and has listened to their views.

Still, the government has to enforce the law to maintain social order, but law enforcement is not used against people who hold different opinions, Gen Prayut said.

"You can think differently, but you must not break the law," he said.

Demonstrations were permitted within the scope of the law, and those who breached the law would face tough legal action, the prime minister said.

"Endless demonstrations will slow the pace of the growing economy. The security and the safety of people and property are the highest priority," Gen Prayut said.

The rally calling for a swift election ended as police surrounded the demonstrators and arrested 14 protest leaders as they approached Government House Tuesday afternoon.

Deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said that the detained protest leaders have been charged with violating Section 116 of the Criminal Code for sedition; violating Section 215 of the Criminal Code which involves a gathering of 10 people and more to make threats or commit acts of violence to cause disturbances in the country; and Order No.3/2015, which bans political gatherings of five or more people.

The protest leaders are Rangsiman Rome, Sirawith Seritiwat, Piyarat Chongthep, Wiset Sangwitsit, Ekkachai Hongkangwan, Chokchai Phaiboonratchata, Arnon Nampa, Chonticha Jaengrew, Nattha Mahatthana, Khiri Khanthong, Phutthaising Phimchan, Viroj Trong-ngamrak, Pattarapol Chankhot and Prasong Wangwan.

Pol Gen Srivara said the protest leaders would be held for questioning, but he did not say when they would be released.

The rally started at Thammasat University's Tha Phrachan campus on Na Phra Lan Road on Monday evening when demonstration leaders broke into the university by cutting open a lock on the gate.

After the demonstrators were blocked by police from leaving the university for a march to Government House, another group of demonstrators who gathered outside decided to do so.

However, the group was unable to march past Makkawan Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue since police officers had been deployed to secure the road.

About 3.30pm, national police chief Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda and his deputy Pol Gen Srivara arrived at the scene. Accusing the protesters of breaking the law, they ordered officers to apprehend the protest leaders one by one while the demonstrators tried to fight back to no avail.

Also Tuesday, Chulalongkorn University political scientist Chaiyan Chaiyaporn said the public assembly law specifies a minimum distance a public gathering must keep away from government agencies, including Government House, which is also normal practice in foreign countries.

He said it is normal that the government protected Government House as it is the symbolic venue of power though all groups of protesters must be treated the same.

Titipol Phakdeewanich, dean of Ubon Ratchathani University's Faculty of Political Sciences, said the government was quite careful and tried to prevent violence which could have led to a negative image of the regime and affected its legitimacy.

The UN Human Rights Office for Southeast Asia called Tuesday for the immediate release of the activists. "We have consistently urged the Royal Thai Government, as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to fully respect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," said the office.

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