Former Minister Chaturon Chaisang arrested at Thai foreign press club

At around 3.30pm on Tuesday, Chaturon Chaisang, former education minister, was arrested at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) shortly after he finished holding a press conference there. He was arrested in front of about 100 reporters. 
 
Chaturon was summoned by the coup makers earlier, but didn't turned himself in. On Tuesday at 2 p.m. he held a press conference, giving a statement in opposition to the coup.
 
The text of his statement read:
 
"The report to the coup makers is against my conscience. I have passed several coup d’etat but never been ordered to report myself.
 
I don’t mean to flee nor to fight underground but am ready to be arrested when the day comes. After this, I insist on using my freedom fighting for the country to become democratic. I urge the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) to return the power to the people immediately. I’m demanding peacefully and in accordance with Article 2 in the Constitution and democratic principle.
 
As the NCPO has acquired its power unconstitutionally, I’m ready to be arrested by the NCPO and choose to express my civil disobedience. I urge that all the cases against civilians must not be tried in the Martial Court, but tried in the normal procedure. 
 
I urge the NCPO to return power to the people and to return democracy immediately. It should also avoid suppressing the people and allow the people to express their opinions and political stances peacefully in order to avoid violence. This is better than pushing them to fight in another way. 
 
There should be a solution to the conflict in Thai society without violence. The NCPO should release the detainees immediately. If there is a reform, it should open opportunities for all sides. There are also people who are against the 2007 Constitution. I hope the NCPO will also listen to comments from the international community. 
 
For Thai people who are against the coup, I urge you to do it peacefully and to understand that it is a cumulative problem that has become worse because of the coup d’etat. The most important thing is that people who are demanding democracy should realize the importance of people participation in building our democracy. 
 
I thank the international community, which has expressed its opposition to the coup d’etat and martial law, and urge the NCPO to return the country to democracy and to hold elections immediately. I hope the country will return to a civilized democratic society very soon."   
 

 

 

 

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