When the Prayut Chan-o-cha government first invoked the emergency decree last March to curb the Covid-19 outbreak, it strenuously promised the draconian law, as well as other health legislation, wouldn't be used against the pro-democracy movement.
What is happening today is the exact opposite.
On Saturday, police twice raided a rally site known as Mu Ban Thalu Fah or "Through the Sky" village, where pro-democracy groups were camped out near Government House, even though the gathering was peaceful. Their demands included the release of political activists charged with Section 112, the abolition of this harsh law, a new constitution and the resignation of the prime minister.
The first raid was conducted at 6am while the protesters were asleep. As more people gathered to demand the release of those in custody, police made more arrests. Nearly 100 demonstrators were rounded up, and several were denied bail.
Piya Tawichai, deputy commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said the demonstrators will be charged with violating the Communicable Diseases Control Act and the emergency decree.
Rounding up demonstrators under such harsh laws while being lenient with massive gatherings at crowded entertainment venues is ironic. A day before Saturday's raid, revellers in Chiang Mai were seen celebrating without anti-virus measures and no one was charged under these laws.
Besides, the raids were a breach of the government's promises. There is no surprise, though, given the fact that this government has already broken so many promises.
One important promise that has evaporated into thin air was the amendment of the military-sponsored 2017 charter. Like other political parties, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) made the amendment of the supreme law its election campaign promise. Gen Prayut made the promise in a nationally televised address, fully realising that the changes would help ease political conflicts.
He even urged both sides to take a step back in order to resolve their conflicts peacefully. The PPRP threw its support behind the establishment of reconciliation panel but has never recognised its existence.
The arrest of peaceful protesters will cast the country -- which boasted of its return to democracy with the 2019 election -- in a bad light. When it comes to political regression, in Asean, Thailand is second only to Myanmar. Isn't this a shame?
Last week, lawmakers across Southeast Asia, even before the shameful police raid, criticised the Thai government for the extending the emergency decree.
A member of Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) noted that keeping the emergency law in place given the low rate of Covid-19 is absurd. The death toll from Covid-19 remains under 100 even though the country is currently experiencing a resurgence in cases.
Obviously, the heavy-handed approach against the pro-democracy movement is disproportionate and will make reconciliation impossible. It will only push the country deeper into political conflict.
Now that the government seems to have the upper hand over its political opponents, the prime minister may think he can shrug off calls for compromise by academics and well-respected figures. Gen Prayut's stance shows confidence, but disregards the high stakes.
There is one thing he should be aware of: dictators before him also had such a sense of confidence right before they fell from power in disgrace.