Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha says he might lift martial law and issue a new order giving him sweeping powers to handle national security in the absence of martial law restrictions.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha samples some khao niew mamuang [sweet sticky rice and mango] offered to him by a vendor as he visits the Chatchai market in Prachup Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district. He then proceeded to chair a mobile cabinet meeting there yesterday. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
Speaking after chairing a mobile cabinet meeting in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin district on Friday, Gen Prayut, who is also leader of the National Council for Peace and Order, said that he plans to issue a new NCPO order in compliance with Section 44 of the interim constitution to deal with security situations.
“The order will replace martial law. When it will be invoked depends on the situation,” he said.
Section 44 authorises the NCPO chief to exercise the powers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government to promote reform and unity, and suppress threats to national security, the royal institution and the economy.
Gen Prayut said he must first seek His Majesty the King’s endorsement for the revocation of martial law before the new NCPO order can be announced.
Asked when he will seek royal endorsement for that revocation, Gen Prayut said His Majesty the King should get some rest first as the monarch had just signed to endorse a military reshuffle.
“I have given [the plan to revoke martial law] careful consideration. I’ll take responsibility for it. Don’t oppose me again because I’ve already eased off on you,” Gen Prayut said.
He said the authority to lift martial law rests solely with him and there was no need to raise the issue for discussion at a cabinet meeting.
However, in the absence of martial law, a new order from the NCPO is needed to deal with the security situation, he said.
The new order will still enable the government and the NCPO to maintain peace and order and ensure public safety, Gen Prayut said.
The order will help prevent any unrest that might disrupt the government’s administration of the country, he said.
“I follow Section 44. [The new order] is not legislation. The NCPO orders override other laws,” Gen Prayut said.
Before attending the cabinet meeting on Friday, Gen Prayut visited Chatchai market in Hua Hin amid tight security.
The local residents were buzzing with excitement upon Gen Prayut’s arrival at the market.
The prime minister visited the market at 10am before he proceeded to chair a mobile cabinet meeting at the army’s rehabilitation and recreation centre at Suanson Pradipat beach.
It has been the first time the Prayut administration has held a mobile cabinet meeting.
Gen Prayut greeted the crowd by saying: “I’m glad to meet you. I love you all,” and flashed the gesture for “I Love You” to cheers from the crowd. Many had their photographs taken with the prime minister.
Gen Prayut walked from one market stall to another, chatting with vendors and sampling food they offered to him. He handed out money in envelopes to the vendors, refusing to take free food from them.
Some vendors held up placards with messages showing support for the premier. One of them read: “May Uncle Tu [Gen Prayut’s nickname] stay on for another 10 years”. Security was tight, with authorities using metal detectors to scan people entering the market.
More than 2,000 policemen and about 1,000 soldiers were deployed to provide security for Gen Prayut and the cabinet members at the meeting venue and surrounding areas. Officers were also stationed on the rooftops of high buildings to monitor security.
Around noon, the prime minister arrived at Hua Hin beach, addressing a gathering of people including beachfront entrepreneurs.
He revealed a plan to build a new university which will focus mainly on the King’s sufficiency economy principles, adding that the government is looking to promote light industry to create jobs for locals.
He also reaffirmed a plan to build a high-speed train from Bangkok to Hua Hin to help further promote tourism.
Deputy government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said after the cabinet meeting that Gen Prayut backed a proposal by the Prachuap Khiri Khan governor to build a new university in the province.
The new university will be located on a 900-rai plot in Ban Bo Nok of Muang district, Maj Gen Sansern said, adding that construction should be completed by 2017.
Gen Prayut agreed that the new university should be an alternative to other universities that offer the normal curriculum. It should produce graduates to implement His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy principles and the King’s royal projects.