Thailand Politics

Resistance Builds for a Junta that Conspired with the Opposition

Thai Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha (C) is accompanied by his officers as he addresses reporters at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters in Bangkok

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BANGKOK – The Thai junta justifies its coup last month and ongoing martial law as necessary to reconcile a deeply polarized society. However, evidence emerged this week that far from interceding reluctantly as he claims, army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha conspired with the opposition to overthrow the elected government. Meanwhile, one of the ministers from the ousted administration announced the formation of a resistance movement. Rather than heal Thailand’s divisions, the junta has deepened them.

According to Mr. Suthep, Gen. Prayuth told him before the coup that “it’s now the duty of the army to take over the task.” The military has denied this.

Suthep Thaugsuban led the illegal street protests that paralyzed Bangkok for much of the last six months and disrupted the February general election. This past weekend he boasted publicly that during that time he discussed with Gen. Prayuth how to drive then Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office. According to Mr. Suthep, Gen. Prayuth told him before the coup that “it’s now the duty of the army to take over the task.” The military has denied this.

Meanwhile, small-scale protests against the coup continue. On Sunday, eight people were arrested for symbolic acts such as eating a sandwich or reading George Orwell in public. Most are released without charge after seven days if they promise not to criticize the military, but the junta continues to hold an unknown number in undisclosed locations, in violation of international law. It is charging others, such as law professor Worachet Pakeerut.

On Tuesday, former Interior Minister Charupong Ruengsuwan announced the formation of the Organization of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy to fight the junta. Mr. Charupong is in hiding to avoid detention, while other opposition figures who continue to resist have fled abroad. He said the group would model itself on the Free Thais that fought against Japanese occupation during World War II, although he did not explicitly say that it would use violence.

This coup is already different from its immediate predecessors, which were brief interludes before the restoration of democracy. The junta has rolled out more repressive measures such as the use of military courts to try dissidents without the right of appeal. Meanwhile, social media has enabled critics of the military to spread their message and organize more quickly.

Gen. Prayuth says elections could be held in 14 months at the earliest. But before that can happen the military government insists the constitution must be rewritten and order restored. Supporters of the ousted government fear this means a system like Burma’s in which the military and aristocracy are guaranteed enough appointed seats in parliament to block legislation.

In the meantime, the military will create an interim constitution and an appointed “civilian” government made up partly of retired generals, as it has done in the past. If current trends continue, after the lifting of martial law this government will face escalating criticism and civil disobedience, if not outright violence. In Thailand’s north, where many of the ousted government’s supporters live, discontent is already at a boil.

The junta’s claim to be above politics was always a transparent fiction, but Mr. Suthep’s revelation should dispel all doubt. The generals can still avoid becoming international pariahs if they hold elections quickly under the existing constitution. Time is running out for Thailand to use democracy to bridge its political divides and avoid bloodshed.

Thailand Politics

Thai Prime Minister’s Popularity Declines as Move Forward Party dominates

(CTN News) – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin continues to make local and international visits to try to solve problems and promote Thailand, but he has failed to impress most voters, according to a Nida poll. The poll also revealed the declining popularity of Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the rise of the Move Forward Party.

According to a poll released on Sunday, only 12.85% of people supported the prime minister, down from 17.75% in the previous survey. The daughter of convicted former Prime Minister Thaksin, currently on parole, saw her popularity drop from 6% to 4.85%.

The National Institute of Development Administration conducts a quarterly survey of the public’s preferred political leaders. The last survey was released at the end of March.

According to the survey, supporters of the prime minister described Mr Srettha as a resolute decision-maker determined to address their problems. Ms Paetongtarn was complimented for her vision, leadership, knowledge, and grasp of the country’s difficulties.

This weekend, the prime minister will be in the northeast region listening to citizens’ concerns. The journey occurred only a few days after he had visited northern provinces earlier in the week.

Despite criticism, he has reduced his abroad trips, citing the need to showcase Thailand to investors and traders.

Pita Limjaroenrat, the chief advisor of the Move Forward Party, remained the top candidate for prime minister with 45.50% of the vote, up slightly from 42.75% in the previous quarter’s poll.

Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was the huge winner. The leader of the United Thai National Party saw his popularity nearly quadruple from 3.55% to 6.85%.

The sampled voters stated they appreciated Mr Pita’s political beliefs and thought he had broad knowledge. They praised Mr Pirapan’s credibility, claiming he was clean and honest.

Two other probable prime minister candidates were Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan of the Thai Sang Thai Party and Anutin Chanvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai. However, they were less popular than others.

About 20% of voters still did not believe any candidate was qualified to lead the country, which is the same percentage as in the last survey.

Move Forward Party was the most popular party with 49.20%, up slightly from three months ago, while Pheu Thai fell around five percentage points to 16.85% from 22.10%.

The poll, issued on Sunday, surveyed 2,000 ineligible voters between June 14 and June 18.

Thailand Politics

Move Forward Party MP Jirat Thongsuwan Appeals Suspended Jail Sentence for Defamation

(CTN News) – Jirat Thongsuwan, a Move Forward Party MP, says he would appeal his one-year suspended jail sentence for defaming a former senior defense ministry official concerning the state’s procurement of bogus bomb detectors.

The Criminal Court also fined Mr Jirat 100,000 baht for falsely accusing ACM Tharet Punsri, a former Air Force chief-of-staff who later became the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary, of being the chairman and shareholder of a company that supplied the military with the infamous GT200 bomb detectors.

The Chachoengsao MP claimed a July 20, 2022, no-confidence vote against cabinet ministers in Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s government. ACM Tharet was not a cabinet member.

Jirat Thongsuwan also identified ACM Tharet as a key figure in the 2006 coup headed by then-army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, which overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra.

ACM Tharet told the court that Jirat Thongsuwan’s charges were false and harmed his reputation. He denied involvement with the bomb detection company and said he was not the company’s senior chairman or shareholder.

In addition to the suspended jail term and fine, the court ordered Jirat Thongsuwan to pay $ 500,000 baht in damages to ACM Tharet and publish an apology in three newspapers for five days.

Jirat Thongsuwan later announced on his X account that he had challenged the verdict with the hashtag “An injustice is infuriating”.

The MP has also been accused of dodging required military conscription. He admitted to the accusation on May 8.

A British business promoted the GT200 as a “remote substance detector” and sold it in several countries. Between 2004 and 2009, fourteen Thai government organizations, most of which were military, were projected to spend 1.4 billion baht on the units.

Concerns about the GT200 and related gadgets arose after the National Science and Technology Development Agency discovered they lacked electronic components.

The devices were later revealed to be “divining rods”.

Thailand Politics

Thaksin Shinawatra Files 100 Million Baht Defamation Lawsuit Against Warong Dechgitvigrom

(CTN News) – Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister, has launched a defamation action against Warong Dechgitvigrom, the head of the Thai Pakdee Party, accusing him of paying a bribe to be released on bail in a lese majeste case.

Thaksin’s attorney, Winyat Chartmontree, filed a lawsuit against Warong, seeking 100 million baht in damages.

Warong, a long-time Thaksin Shinawatra critic, gave a public statement and posted on social media, saying that 2 billion baht was paid to judicial officials in exchange for release on bail in the lese majeste case.

Thaksin Shinawatra Granted Release on 500,000 Baht Bond

Thaksin was granted release on a 500,000 baht bond last week and told not to leave the country without court authorization after pleading innocent to charges of defaming King Rama IX in a 2015 interview with South Korean media.

Winyat stated that, while Warong did not identify Thaksin Shinawatra by name in his speech or post, he did include a hashtag with Thaksin’s name as well as the date Thaksin must appear in court, allowing readers to connect Thaksin to the allegations.

Winyat further stated that he was investigating the fact that Warong mentioned the specific aircraft and automobiles utilized by Thaksin Shinawatra to violate the Personal Data Protection Act.

“I have requested Mr Warong to provide proof as to where he received the data. “If it turns out that it came from state officials, there will be legal consequences,” he warned.

The Criminal Court has scheduled the case’s preliminary hearing for September 30.