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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha claims his written promised to US President Donald Trump to hold "free and fair elections in 2018" needs to be clarified. (Bangkok Post file photo)
Regime is destroying rule of law
Opinion
By UMESH PANDEY
BANGKOK POST EDITOR
the norm ever since the coup that ousted the elected government in 2014. Over the past week the supporters of the coup must have had a field day as their idol managed to have an audience with the head of state of a country that until recently was considered to be the beacon of democracy.
If that was not enough, the headlines in yesterday's papers that their arch-nemesis Thaksin Shinawatra is being targeted with lese majeste charges should have added to their joy. If I was a coup supporter, I would be giving out free shots to the entire bar to celebrate. Alas, I am not one of them.
I am one of those realists who believes that the rule of the law is there to give fair and equal treatment to everyone, and one who believes in practising what I preach. But then that's me, a commoner, a person whose single voice cannot make coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha change his mind or his ways of fooling the world.
Fooling the world is what Gen Prayut has managed to do for the past few years, and there seems to be no lack of fools around the globe to fall into his trap. The latest person was none other than US President Donald Trump, who welcomed the coup leader to the White House and heaped praise on him and his work. During this meeting a joint statement was issued that touched on many things including the worst nightmare of this military regime -- government elections.
Part of the joint statement read: "Recognising Thailand's strategic importance to the United States and the region, President Trump welcomed Thailand's commitment to the roadmap, which, upon completion of relevant organic laws as stipulated by the constitution, will lead to free and fair elections in 2018. The two leaders also recognised the importance of protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms."
the norm ever since the coup that ousted the elected government in 2014. Over the past week the supporters of the coup must have had a field day as their idol managed to have an audience with the head of state of a country that until recently was considered to be the beacon of democracy.
If that was not enough, the headlines in yesterday's papers that their arch-nemesis Thaksin Shinawatra is being targeted with lese majeste charges should have added to their joy. If I was a coup supporter, I would be giving out free shots to the entire bar to celebrate. Alas, I am not one of them.
I am one of those realists who believes that the rule of the law is there to give fair and equal treatment to everyone, and one who believes in practising what I preach. But then that's me, a commoner, a person whose single voice cannot make coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha change his mind or his ways of fooling the world.
Fooling the world is what Gen Prayut has managed to do for the past few years, and there seems to be no lack of fools around the globe to fall into his trap. The latest person was none other than US President Donald Trump, who welcomed the coup leader to the White House and heaped praise on him and his work. During this meeting a joint statement was issued that touched on many things including the worst nightmare of this military regime -- government elections.
Part of the joint statement read: "Recognising Thailand's strategic importance to the United States and the region, President Trump welcomed Thailand's commitment to the roadmap, which, upon completion of relevant organic laws as stipulated by the constitution, will lead to free and fair elections in 2018. The two leaders also recognised the importance of protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms."
Within a few hours, though, Gen Prayut's deputy in Bangkok came out to "clarify" the statement, saying that what his boss meant was that an election date would be announced in 2018 but that does not mean it will be held in 2018. If this was not enough, the so-called "independent" drafter of the 2017 constitution, Meechai Ruchupan, cemented the military regime's statement by saying the possibility of elections in 2019 was something that could happen, although it was "speculation".
The fact that the Constitution Drafting Committee is defending delays in polls is something that should go down in history books as being one of its kind in the world. Here is a body that supposedly comprises some of the smartest people, who are supposed to look at the country's future and its long-term well-being, and they are protecting the never-ending delays that this military regime is trying to undertake.
The regime's initial promise to hold elections was within a year of the coup, so 2015, then it turned out to be 2016, then 2017 and finally Gen Prayut announced at the United Nations that it would be 2018.
Every democratic voice in the country thought that 2018 would be the final deadline, backed up by Wednesday's statement at the White House, but it is looking more like this was a red herring. While democracy is being kicked around a football, the players are gradually being red-carded one after another. The latest headlines in yesterday's papers suggest that there is an all-out effort to go for the final kill.
After having prosecuted the Pheu Thai and its predecessor parties for the past decade, efforts are being made to charge its backer, Thaksin, with the feared Section 112. Newly appointed Attorney-General Khemchai Chutiwongs said 112 can be applied for video footage in which Thaksin reportedly blamed members of the Privy Council for the May 22, 2014 coup that ousted Pheu Thai government.
As far as most of the population of this country is aware, the lese majeste law clearly states that it applies to only members of the royal family.
So, what is the section of the 112 law that the attorney-general is going to use to prosecute Thaksin? Or is it the case that this law was changed over the course of time and people are not aware of it?
If this is the case, the government may be well advised to reveal more details to the people. If questions are raised about an election, it should simply say "it will be held when the time is right". This administration may be able to fool President Trump, but fooling the Thai populace again and again may not go down well in the long run.
