PM leaves door open for military-backed party

PRIME MINISTER GENERAL Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday refused to rule out the formation of a political party by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ahead of the general election currently set for next November.
“I’m not thinking about [setting up a party] now but I’ll see how the situation is in the future. There is a year to think about it,” Prayut said after the weekly Cabinet meeting.
Speculation has arisen that the junta might retain power since Prayut clarified the timeline for an election and his Cabinet approaches its fourth shake-up, possibly to prepare for the political arena heating up during the election period.
However, the NCPO has maintained its ban against political gatherings of five or more people as well as political activities, which has hindered parties from carrying out authorised activity since the 2014 coup.
Politicians have criticised the relevant NCPO order No 57/2014, which prevents them from preparing for the election in line with the timeline stipulated by the new political party bill. Failing to do so could disqualify them from contesting the next election.
However, Prayut yesterday promised that he would use his “absolute power”, in reference to Article 44 of the interim Constitution, to extend the preparatory time for parties if necessary. 
Article 141 of the political party bill also allows parties to request extensions from the Election Commission registrar, which could grant permission on a case-by-case basis, according to an explanatory paper provided by the NCPO.
There were also other factors unrelated to the NCPO, Prayut said, which could affect the designated timeline for the election.
“The NCPO concluded this morning that the current situation was not yet settled. The country is still in a period when it should not go through a conflict of any kind,” the paper stated.
“The remaining two organic bills involving MP elections and the Senate selection, which are essential, have not yet gone to Parliament; the new Election Commissioners are still being sought and we don’t know when that will be settled. The registrar for political parties also has not yet been appointed.
“We ask that the political ‘unlocking’ be delayed longer,” the paper concluded. “But you don’t have to worry. We promised that the election will happen within 150 days after the essential laws are all enacted.”
The two bills being drafted by the Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) are expected to be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, Prayut brushed aside speculation that the NCPO had already organised a nominee party in cooperation with a retired Army major-general, who has set up a “volunteer movement” that is functioning similar to how political parties operate. 
Critics have expressed doubt that the movement could be developed as a political party to support Prayut to become the next prime minister and encourage defections by former MPs from other parties.
Prayut said he did not personally know Maj-General Songklod Theprat, a former member of the NCPO’s national reform working group, and had no knowledge of his activities.
He also said he was not thinking about stealing the political base of the previously dominant Pheu Thai Party. 
“All parties depend on people’s choices. They can choose whatever they want, as long as it does not cause a stir,” he said.
Regarding rampant speculation about a fourth Cabinet reshuffle, Prayut said there would not be quotas for the military or civilian officials. 
“But I don’t want anyone to be biased against military officers. Who did all the work when we didn’t have a post-coup Cabinet yet?” he asked rhetorically. “Why would you hate the military that much?”
Meanwhile, Meechai Ruchupan, head of the CDC and a member of the NCPO, said members of the so-called “five rivers of power” had the right to found a political party, but denied any knowledge that they would do so. The “five rivers” refers to the five dominant bodies in the current junta-led government.
Establishing a political party was a political right for everyone, he added. Members of the “rivers of power”, however, are barred from contesting elections unless they resigned from their post within 90 days after the recent charter went into effect, according to the Constitution.
Meechai said he did not know if anyone would attempt to pull the strings behind the scenes, but warned that such actions were unconstitutional and punishable by a political ban and the dissolution of a party. 
He added that he did not think it was necessary to found a party to keep the political balance after the coup regime steps down. 
Responding to speculation that a military-backed party could protect current government leaders from retaliation after the election, Meechai said such vengeful acts would be difficult unless the junta-backed government had actually committed wrongdoing.