Let's get country in order and get rid of Article 44
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Western powers, especially the US and the EU, have every right to be concerned about the invocation of Article 44 in Thailand.
However, there are a few interesting points that need to be discussed here.
First, Article 44 gives sweeping powers to the chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Second, General Prayut is also the head of Thailand’s current government.
Third, in a recent Suan Dusit poll, the majority of Thais said they were comfortable with the said law.
Fourth, Prayut emphasised that he would use the law constructively and with fairness.
Hence, let’s hope it will not be more than one year before this business of “putting the country in order” is over – and Article 44 is no longer present for us to worry about.
Vint Chavala
Bangkok
