US ambassador upbeat after his meeting with PM
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Prayut explains circumstances behind coup; says justice process fair and no groups targeted
GLYN DAVIES, the new US ambassador to Thailand, has expressed confidence in Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s sincerity in wanting to restore democracy.
The vote of confidence followed their first lengthy meeting with the premier at Government House yesterday.
Deputy Government Spokesman Maj-General Weerachon Sukond-hapatipak said the PM had explained in detail the need for Thailand to revert to martial law last year and the current enforcement of Article 44 in the interim charter, which gives Prayut wide-ranging powers.
This special legal power has never been abused by the government, Davies was told.
The country’s justice process has been fair and there has been no bias for or against any political groups, Weerachon quoted Prayut as telling the US’s top envoy in Thailand.
The US ambassador told reporters after meeting Prayut that the US view on Thailand’s political landscape had not changed following the 2014 coup.
Davies said that the prime minister had talked about his aspirations for Thailand at great length.
“It was an opportunity for me to listen,” he said. “I did more listening than talking in the meeting, which was my plan. He spoke about his experience and aspirations for a return to democracy here.
“It’s important to reassure sustainable democracy in Thailand. [Democracy] will be important for [Thailand’s] future on [the] economy and security.”
The envoy also stressed that it is important “to have this kind of government accepted and supported by people of Thailand”.
Prayut did not talk to reporters after the meeting.
Weerachon said that Prayut and Davies also discussed the bilateral relationship and cooperation in public health, investment and people-to-people relations. There was no specific discussion on the Trans-Pacific Partnership issue.
The drafting of the new charter was also not discussed, he said.
Davies has urged the government to give more public space to the public, civil society, non-government organisations and the mass media to discuss and debate the country’s political future.
Prior to his meeting with Prayut, Davies had met with Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on October 15 and Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam on Tuesday.
Prayut has said that it is the protocol for the US envoy to meet with other ministers first before meeting the prime minister.
During his meeting with other Cabinet members, Davies emphasised the need for Thailand to return to democracy and to achieve national reconciliation.
Wissanu informed the ambassador that the general election should be held by May 2017.
Although the Kingdom is one of the oldest US allies in Asia, the US has restricted its bilateral relations with Thailand following the coup while expressing concern over the country’s human rights suppression and other undemocratic measures.
But Don said that the two countries are still “good friends” and their |relations remain normal with continued cooperation in fields such as security, law enforcement and environment.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minster Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday clarified PM Prayut’s statement on “shutting down” the country and remaining in power if peace does not return in order to pave the way for a general election in accordance with the reform road map.
The premier did not mean it, Prawit said.
PM Prayut’s controversial remark was made on Wednesday during the meeting of the so-called “Five Rivers” of power.
Prawit said that the premier meant that if violence takes place due to political protests and obstructs the road map, holding a general election would be impossible.
“Don’t think too much. Our country is moving forward,” he said.
