Chavalit calls on junta to step aside
Former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyud has called on the National Council for Peace and Order to relinquish power and hold a general election this year.
Chavalit responded to reports that the junta wants to hold on to power for another five years by introducing a five-year transition period involving a partial return to democracy before implementing a full return to democracy.
“The problems facing the country are complex,” Chavalit said in an opening letter to the public that was delivered during a press conference at his home yesterday. “If the NCPO does not sacrifice by relinquishing its power fast, it would be difficult to eradicate the problems.”
About 10 security officials monitored the event, which they did not record.
The letter was addressed to “Thais who love their country”.
In it, he said since the NCPO had taken power it had diffused political conflicts at one level but led the country into deeper conflicts and economic distress.
He said the charter draft by the Constitution Drafting Commission led by Meechai Ruchupan had met with opposition from many sectors of society because the content was not democratic, even though the draft was being revised before being voted on in a public referendum.
“My personal experience in resolving internal conflicts has made me believe that it is an uphill task for the NCPO to accomplish this mission,” he said. “I learnt that a team led by the United Nation assistant secretary-general came to Thailand yesterday [Wednesday] to monitor the Thai political situation. They expect democracy to return to Thailand.”
Chavalit reiterated that the junta must hold a general election this year and allow an elected government to run the country.
He said Meechai must not write the charter draft the way the junta wanted in order to ensure the best constitution possible was delivered so it would not be voted down like the previous charter draft.
He called on the military to not interfere with the public’s decision on the charter.
