 |
| Thailand's Army commander Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, (AP Photo/ASTV Manager newspaper) |
And the beat goes on - as Thia's live under martial law in the after math of the recent coup. Lead by the Thai Chief General Prayuth Chau-Ocha. This bloodless coup removed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from her leadership position of the Kingdom and instaled the military.
First line of business for the general was a new title "Chief of the national council for Peace and order" (NCPO).
The general justifed the coup d'etat as a means to bring stability to Thai politics by halting the bickering between pro and anti government factions. While laying the groundwork for a more effective and efficient Thai government of the future.
For example, Thailand's economy shrink by 2.1% in the first half the year compared to the first quater last year. General Prayuth falted the present goverment and it's bickering detractors as the cause of the econamic decline. To get Thailand economy growing again he appointed Air Chief Marchal Ptachin Chau Tang to lay a plan that will allow for a 6.1 % economic expansion in 2015.
The kingdom's present constitution was created after the coup of 2006, resulting in the removal of PM Yingluck's brother Thakson. The coup effecivly made this constiturion nul and void which resuted in the removal of the present democratly elected government. Excisting government agencies and enterprises where allowed to continue operation but are required to justify their existence (or resign) to a council of junta officials.
To control political dissent the general used martial law to halt assembly of 5 of more people, including political fundraising or any meetings of a political nature. A curfew was put into effect but has since been lifted in the hopes of encouraging tourism and to raise the moral of normally, very social Thai people.
When commenting on the ban of assembly the General suggested that "all Thia's stay at home and talk quietly to themselves".
Phase one under the military junta is the creation of a provisional charter until the new Constitution is completed. The provisional charter was released last Friday, June 27, 2014. This charter and ultimately the new constitution will create reforms affecting economic and environmental issues, energy policy's, civic issues, along with, according to the general improvement of Thailand's political and judicial system.
The transitional 200 person Parliament will be comprised of half civilian office holders, no mention of where they will come from or how they will be picked, the other half, bet you guessed it, high ranking military officers..
General Prayuth has made a commitment that the new constitution will be in effect by August 15, 2015. The ensuing election would require 3 months of organization by the junta, all will be done under the guidance of the military, what can go wrong with that.
The general was quoted from his weekly TV address saying " You (Thai people) will get a democratically elected government by 2015. Please take it easy, we need time for reform". He went on to say "it will be a fair and just election to guarantee Thailand will be better governed in the future".
