Thailand’s junta leader has called for the Thai people to be flexible about the country’s ‘roadmap to democracy’, suggesting that a postponement of elections would not be a big deal.
On 27 February 2017, Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, delivered a speech reaffirming the importance of the country’s ‘roadmap to democracy’. But the speech also called upon the Thai people to remain flexible, even though the roadmap originally promised elections in late 2017.
‘The work of the government is guided by plans — a roadmap of when to begin this, when that ends, and at what time. But if we encounter any obstacles, the roadmap will have to adapt. That’s all we need to understand. It’s not a big deal,” said Prayut with a serious face.
The statement was made after Prayut presided over a ceremony making offerings to the remains of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
But in a separate meeting the same day, the US Ambassador to Thailand urged the junta to follow its roadmap and transition to a genuine democracy.
During the meeting with Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the deputy junta head and Minister of Defence, Ambassador Glyn T Davies discussed matters ranging from the country’s reconciliation process and the ongoing implementation of the roadmap.
While the US Ambassador thanked Prawit for an excellent meeting, he expressed hopes future meetings would coincide with election years for Thailand. The US hopes the junta will follow its roadmap in order to transition to a democracy where people participate in politics.
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha
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