Prayut: Section 44 used in 'most constructive' manner !!!

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha takes a selfie during an
SME forum held by the Industry Ministry at
Impact Muang Thong Thani on Friday.
 (Photo by Tawatchai Kemkumnerd)

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has defended the use

 of the most controversial section in the interim constitution,

saying Section 44 is applied carefully. Section 44 has faced

 widespread criticism because it gives sweeping power to

 the junta leader to take action on anything he deems necessary.

 Dubbed the "dictator clause", Section 44 has been used to

force a speedy resolution to problems in the fishery and

 aviation industries.

 

 In both cases the country has been under stiff international

 pressure to improve its performance.

 

However, it was also applied earlier this year to crack down

 on drinking establishments after an uproar over alcohol

sales near schools.

 But Gen Prayut, who chairs the National Council for

 Peace and Order (NCPO), says any actions taken under

 Section 44 are carefully screened first.

 

"The power is used in the most constructive and transparent

manner, given that there are committees overseeing the use

 of this power while the operations proceed strictly according

 to set regulations," he said on his weekly Returning

 Happiness to Thai People broadcast.

 

 Human rights advocates and the United Nations High

 Commissioner for Human Rights have expressed worry

 about the section, saying it could open the way for human

rights abuses.

 

 UN human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said in April

that the section had sweeping power and could destroy the

 checks and balances mechanism in the country.

 

The latest assurance from the prime minister comes ahead

 of his visit to the United Nations. Gen Prayut will leave

 Bangkok for New York on Wednesday and take the podium

 at the UN General Assembly on Sept 29 before returning

to Thailand on Oct 1.

 

 He will attend the UN Sustainable Development Summit

held from Sept 25-27. A government source said he would

 hold talks with the leaders of Brazil, Turkey and Kazakhstan

 on the sidelines of the UN meetings.

 

 Some red-shirt members in the United States have threatened

 an anti-coup protest in New York during his stay.

 

 Gen Prayut said he expected opposition duringhis stay.

 Gen Prayut said he expected opposition during his visit but

urged protesters not to drag internal politics onto the

 international stage and jeopardise the country's future.

 

"Regardless of whether  there are intentions to harm me or

oppose me, I will be attending the assembly in the name of

 your country, and this country needs to move forward," he said.

 

While in New York, Gen Prayut will also renew Thailand's

 quest for a seat on the UN Security Council, said Foreign

Ministry spokesman Sek Wannamethee.

 

 Mr Sek said Gen Prayut's trip would focus on development

 issues to fit in with UN goals, but he did not say whether

 the premier would explain the political situation in Thailand.

 

 "We will emphasise our role on sustainable development

 and [how we are] reducing the gaps and promoting equality,"

Mr Sek said.

 

News,Politics,Bangkok Post,September 2015.

 

In my viewpoint,some Red Shirts member who want to

 

 threaten the Premier when he go to the US should think

 

twice before doing anything,because everything that happen

 

will effect the image of their hometown country.

 

I believe the Prime Minister Gen Prayut can do his

 

duty well at the UN meeting.

 

The point of using Section 44,I think every cases have used in

 reasonable reason.

 

Sincerely Yours.