Junta's actions making country far from democratic
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IT HAS been nearly 10 months since the junta seized power in a coup. At a time when many problems facing the country are surfacing rapidly, it believes the one way to contain these problems - instead of solving them - is to vest absolute power in its lead
After taking power, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) declared martial law, as a supposed tool to control social disputes and put an end to conflicts caused by warring political groups that led to violence.
After martial law was declared, many political observers voiced opposition to it. Dissatisfaction with the law gained momentum when the junta-led government kept shutting down forums of the public and political observers. In addition, many others have claimed violations of their rights.
These problems affect the image of the country as many countries, besides the United Nations, have expressed concern that Thailand is undemocratic because of such actions.
By Wednesday, the government had lifted martial law and replaced it with Article 44 of the 2014 provisional constitution. Though the provisions of the article may be seen as reducing the power the military enjoyed under martial law, it ends up endowing NCPO leader Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha with absolute power.
Article 44 states: “In cases where the head of the National Council for Peace and Order is of the opinion that it is necessary for the benefit of reform and to strengthen public unity and harmony, or for the prevention, disruption or suppression of any act which undermines public peace and order or national security, the monarchy, national economy or administration of state affairs, he shall have the power to issue any order to disrupt or suppress regardless of the legislative, executive or judicial force of that order.”
The public believes this is absolute power, as this law would give the PM authority over all three branches of the state – executive, legislative and judicial.
While it cannot be denied that some of the draconian laws and measures used by the government have helped maintain national security and social stability and to end violence caused by different political groups, there are other national issues that also need to be resolved.
Even though the junta has appointed many agencies such as the National Reform Council to reform 11 areas, the National Legislative Assembly to pass and scrutinise important laws, and the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) to write a new charter, the public still sees the members of these appointed agencies as lacking independence, which affects their legitimacy as well.
Many political observers have concluded after evaluating the work of the government and its appointed agencies that they are not as efficient as they promised to be. Nonetheless, giving absolute power to the PM will not necessarily improve efficiency in solving national problems.
The junta should bear in mind that those who judge Prime Minister Prayut are not just individuals but the nation’s people as a whole. They will not favour one over another and that is why it is important to let contrasting ideas by the opposition to be placed on the table as well.
More importantly the issue raised towards the junta-government and their appointed agencies lie within abstaining the media and public to criticize governmment and the new Constitution.
If the citizens of the country cannot voice their opinions or criticise their own government, or have a say in the writing of the new constitution, by what yardstick can Thailand be called a democratic country?
