Thai PM lifts emergency law amid calls to resign

By Richard S Ehrlich

The ‘serious state of emergency’ has been lifted as protesters give PM three days to stand down

BANGKOK, Thailand – Embattled Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha on Thursday revoked his mostly ineffectual “serious state of emergency” in Bangkok, one day after saying he “will do so promptly if there are no violent incidents.”

The Royal Thai Government Gazette published his order, which took effect at noon.

Prayut clamped Bangkok under a “serious state of emergency” on October 15, extending an existing state of emergency declared in March to fight the coronavirus.

The emergency edict banned gatherings in public of five or more people, distributing or publishing data that the government perceived to be instigating fear or distorting information, and forbid using public transportation or buildings for dissent.

Tens of thousands of protesters, however, repeatedly defied the emergency edict by continuing to gather for daily demonstrations, which started on October 13.

Security forces, enjoying immunity under the emergency edict, could detain people for 30 days in military camps without access to a lawyer.

Police have detained almost 80 people during the recent protests, police spokesman Major General Yingyos Thepchamnong said on Wednesday.

Prayut had included a promise to lift the edict during his surprise “de-escalate” offer on Wednesday.

But that offer may be refused by protesters, who want him to resign within three days and parliament to be dissolved instead of being used for negotiations because its senate was appointed.

The prime minister had presented what he portrayed as a sweet conciliatory offer, but it came with a sour squeeze.

Police, hours later, arrested a young woman who announced the three-day deadline on Wednesday, as well as unveiling a mock resignation letter for Prayut to sign.

“If the protesters seek a solution through tough street action, maybe they will win by side-stepping the parliamentary process,” Prayut predicted in a nationwide broadcast on Wednesday evening. “Or maybe they won’t. Both have happened in the past.

“If the state seeks to make problems go away through only tough action, maybe it will. Or maybe it won’t. Both have happened in the past, too.”

Prayut hinted that the monarchy was not to be harmed, despite the protesters’ demand to “reform” King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s power and wealth.

“A very important part of what makes every Thai a Thai are our institutions, rooted in our culture and in centuries of tradition and values,” the prime minister said.

“When we damage our heritage, we also lose a very important part of what makes us all Thai and what makes us all very special in the world.” .

Without mentioning riot police who dispersed protesters by repeatedly blasting them with chemical-laden water cannons in a Bangkok street on October 16, Prayut said: “Last Friday night, we saw things that should never be in Thailand.

“We saw terrible crimes being committed against the police using metal rods and huge cutting implements in brutal attacks, with the aim of severely wounding fellow Thais.”

Then he presented his lopsided deal.

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ASIA Times.com