No plan to ease ban on political gatherings: PM

“If they behave well then I may reconsider the decision,” Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said after the weekly Cabinet meeting yesterday. 

“But for now, I haven’t seen any significant improvement.”

Consideration of the plan proposed by the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) could be brought up after the August 7 referendum, when political tensions may be alleviated, he said.

Prayut’s response followed a call last week by leading Pheu Thai figure Sudarat Keyuraphan for a meeting of rival political parties to seek reconciliation.

Somsak Prisananantakul, adviser to the Chart Thai Pattana Party, and Nipit Intarasombat, deputy leader of the Democrat Party, agreed to meet before Nipit decided to postpone, saying it could create public misunderstanding and pollute the political atmosphere.

The junta has swung back and forth on security measures against political movements, especially during recent months as the referendum date approaches. 

One of the most frequently used orders is the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)’s announcement No 7/2014 that prohibits political gatherings of more than four people. 

The NCPO has enforced orders in cooperation with the Internal Security Operations Command under the ambiguous referendum bill to “keep the country in order”.

On Sunday, the government also introduced “order maintenance centres” in provinces and districts countrywide to help support the Election Commission in ensuring order and transparency in the upcoming vote. 

Prayut admitted that the centres’ introduction is merely an actualisation of pre-existing NCPO authority. 

“[That authority has] been there since May 22 to take care of security issues,” Prayut said, referring to the 2014 coup. 

 

‘Deep divisions’

 

But the prime minister insisted that the centres supervised by local authorities under the Interior Ministry would only monitor the situation and not interfere with polling stations. 

“We’re not saying that you should or shouldn’t accept the draft. So don’t say that we’re pressuring anyone,” he said.With focus on monitoring possible tensions, Prayut however did not worry much on public sufficient knowledge on the charter draft’s content or how they will vote.

“Sixty to seventy per cent of people are too busy with making their lives. What should I do that they aren’t interested in the content. Is that my false?” he said “I’ve talked on it. Officers have talked on that and they still don’t understand. What else should I do?” The political reform committee of the NRSA suggested earlier yesterday that the government allow political parties to carry out activities and hold meetings. 

The suggestion was line with the NCPO’s stated policy to relax the political ban if the public accepts the charter in the August referendum, NRSA members said.

Meechai Ruchupan, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Commission, said it would be unreasonable to rally or stage protests to make people reject or accept the charter. 

“Both charter opponents and supporters are banned from doing so because the country is still reeling from deep divisions,’’ he said. He expressed concern that charter draft specialists were not equipped to explain to voters about content of the draft because they have not yet received the public relation documents from the CDC, which would arrive at each village only next week. 

The Election Commission should ensure that there is no distortion of the charter’s contents through social media, he added. 

“We must admit that sometimes we have lost touch because it’s about new technology,’’ he said.

Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda said a meeting of governors would be held on July 15 to discuss the peacekeeping centres. 

Political parties would not be invited to monitor the referendum, but they are not blocked from expressing their opinions, he said.