Prayut defends rights record since coup ahead of UN visit
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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday defended his country's rights record since he seized power in a 2014 coup, saying he acted to end months of political instability.
Thailand has faced a deepening rights crisis since the coup with political activity and peaceful gatherings banned, say activists. Military courts have been used to try national security cases, including cases involving civilians, and relations with some western countries, including the United States, have frayed.
"Those who evoke human rights and democracy, look at what happened in the past," Prayut said in a speech at Government House, days before he travels to New York to attend a session of the UN General Assembly.
"Foreigners have to understand what we're going through...Every country has gone through rough times. We're just a little late. Don't tell us that we abuse rights, you also abuse the rights of others. You create problems too."
During a UN Human Rights Council review of Thailand in May, foreign governments expressed concern over the deteriorating rights situation in Thailand.
Prayut, a former army chief, said he took control of the country in an attempt to calm months of political crisis. He has repeatedly said he does not want to hold on to power longer than2017 when a general election is expected to take place.
The government on Monday said it will prosecute cases concerning national security and royal insult in civilian courts instead of military courts, a change a rights group said was "window dressing" before a UN review.
-Reuters
