Deputy PM says junta orders will still apply after election

The orders issued by the Thai coup-makers since the 2014 coup d’état will still be effective after national elections unless the newly elected administration successfully amends them.    

According Voice TV 21 News, Visanu Krue-ngam, Deputy Prime Minister under Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, announced on Thursday that the orders of the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will not be terminated after the junta steps down in favour of an elected administration.

People who allegedly violated the NCPO orders and fled overseas will still be vulnerable to charges under the NCPO orders and the 2014 Interim Costitution, the Deputy PM added.

He said that the return of political exiles would depend on new laws to be enacted under a future elected administration.

The Deputy PM pointed out that if a newly elected administration could not govern the country well, Thailand might relapse into chaos.

Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.

• Simple steps to support Prachatai English

1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank

2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”