There will definitely not be any abuse of power in the use of Section 44 of the interim constitution by the chairman of the National Council for Peace and Order after martial law has been lifted, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said on Monday.
Gen Prawit was responding to concerns raised by the National Human Rights Commission that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, in his capacity as NCPO chairman, could abuse his power under Section 44.
The NHRC suggested that the Internal Security Act, or even the executive decree for administration in an emergency situation, not Section 44, be used instead of martial law.
Gen Prayut said after a mobile cabinet meeting in Hua Hin on Friday that martial law might be lifted and replaced with an order issued under Section 44 of the interim constitution, which would give him sweeping powers to handle national security.
Gen Prawit said the order that would replace martial law would be used only against people whose actions were considered detrimental to the country, so good people should not worry.
There would certainly be no violations of human rights, he said.
Gen Prawit said the prime minister would make the final decision on this matter and the media should not question him about it again, as he had already replied many times to their questions about it.
Gen Prawit said martial law might be seen as too harsh in the eyes of some countries, therefore the idea of using Section 44 of the constitution to maintain law and order.
The order to be issued under Section 44 would be used mainly for searches, detentions and arrests of people - the same way martial law was being applied, he said.