Academic says Prayut should remember events of ‘Black May’
Thammasat University law academic Worachet Pakeerat has suggested that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha consider the bloodshed of “Black May” as a lesson if he wanted to become the next premier without being elected.
Worachet, who is head of the anti-coup Nitirat group, was referring to “Black May” or “Bloody May”, a common name for the May 17–20, 1992 protest in Bangkok. The protest was staged against the government of General Suchinda Kraprayoon, who previously staged a coup and toppled the government of General Chatichai Choonhavan, and became PM after a general election.
However, Worachet said on Monday that he did not want to give a personal opinion because this was a matter for the future and he did not know whether any party would propose Prayut for the premiership.
“But Thailand faced an incident [with an “outsider” premier] when Suchinda became a PM in 1992. General Prayut should see that as a lesson,” he said.
Some political analysts believe some parties will nominate Prayut as their candidate for PM. Under the constitution, Prayut is not eligible to run in the next election, but he could assume the role as the current charter allows a non-MP or an “outsider” to become premier under certain circumstances.