FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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‘Abolish Article 44 and ensure rule of law’: ex-Pheu Thai top figure

‘Abolish Article 44 and ensure rule of law’: ex-Pheu Thai top figure

Pheu Thai’s former secretary-general on Wednesday urged the junta to renounce the absolute power of Article 44 and to ensure the rule of law in addition to its latest announcement of a clear election plan.

Chavalit Wichayasut said such moves would enhance the nation’s credibility. 
“Now, some people are still questioning whether there is discrimination in the justice system, using the law to punish someone retroactively,” Chavalit said, apparently referring to the new legal procedures law against politicians in criminal cases that can proceed in absentia.
Although the government said that law was fair, the politician said he did not think the government was being reasonable.
To bring some cases back to court would trouble people, he said. And as the international community places importance on the rule of law, such a practice risked costing the country its credibility – and it would not be worth it, he said.
Another area of concern was the extra-constitutional power, he said. Although the new charter has already been effected, the exercise of Article 44 – which grants absolute power to the junta head – remained, Chavalit explained.
“It could be weird that an election is held to bring back democracy while such extra power remains,” he said.
Chavalit’s reaction came after Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha stated clearly that an election would occur in November next year. Prayut’s announcement caused the Stock Exchange of Thailand index to jump to more than 1,700 on Tuesday.

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