Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has come under fire after posing a set of questions regarding new political parties, with critics seeing it as a move by the regime to test the waters in pursuing its political interests.
The six new questions come only two days after his deputy, Prawit Wongsuwon, said on Monday the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) would form a political party if it thought that was necessary.
Gen Prayut's six new questions are:
- Do we need new political parties or new politicians for the people to consider in the next election? Will the old politicians or political parties bring about national reforms and comply with the national strategy?
- Is it the NCPO's right to support a political party?
- Do people see a better future because of the government's work over the past three years?
- Is it appropriate to compare the current government with previously elected governments?
- Did previous governments show efficiency and good governance or contribute to long-term development?
- Why have political parties and politicians come out to discredit the government on an unusually large scale during this time?
Gen Prayut said the questions were intended for the public, not politicians.
They concern the need for new political parties and politicians to achieve national reforms and the 20-year strategic plan, and the regime's efforts in addressing national problems in the past three years.
- Earlier report: Prayut tests the waters
- Pheu Thai speaks out: Party urges end to political action ban
Democrat deputy leader Satit Pitudecha on Wednesday described the questions as paving the way for the regime to pursue its political interests.
No matter what the answers are, the premier's questions reflect the regime's intention to form a political party or support one, said the Democrat politician.
"This is totally off base and [the regime] is taking advantage of others. The NCPO has all the power in its hands. It is writing the rules and also saying it's going to be in the competition," he said.
Mr Satit said the regime's move is poorly thought-out and it will backfire, adding that the last time the premier posed a set of similar questions he did not receive any meaningful response.
"He should have learned from the past, but he didn't. He will be disappointed," said the Democrat deputy leader.
Gen Prayut's questions in May concerned the future government and they were roundly criticised as an attempt to gather public support for the regime to stay on in power. The prime minister at that time defended his questions, saying they were intended to encourage people to reflect on what they needed.
The following two video segments, featuring excerpts of the prime minister's remarks (in Thai) on his 6 Questions, were provided Wednesday by Government House.
"ผมมีสิทธิ์สนับสนุนพรรคไหน ก็ได้?"
— Deep Blue Sea (@WassanaNanuam) November 8, 2017
ฟัง..."นายกฯบิ๊กตู่"ถามคำถามข้อ1-2 ยันถามปชช. ไม่ได้ว่าใคร ติงสื่อ อย่าไปเขียนให้ทะเลาะกันสิ ถามควรมีพรรคใหม่ นักการเมืองหน้าใหม่มั้ย...ยันผมไม่ลงเลือกตั้ง ไม่ได้ลาออก ผมมีสิทธิ์สนับสนุนพรรคใดก็ได้ใช่มั้ย ถ้าไม่มีอะไรใหม่ๆมา ผมก็ไม่อยากสนับสนุน pic.twitter.com/7ydEJykqzD
"โพลล์ บิ๊กตู่"
— Deep Blue Sea (@WassanaNanuam) November 8, 2017
คำถามนายกฯ ข้อ3-4-5-6 เรื่องผลงาน คสช. การเลือกตั้งแบบเดิม รัฐบาล ทำเพื่อฐานเสียง และตบท้าย ว่า ทำไมช่วงนี้ นักการเมือง โจมตี ด้อยค่า คสช. รัฐบาล นายกฯมากผิดปกติ pic.twitter.com/pT6aePHCIu
Democrat deputy leader Nipit Intarasombat took Gen Prayut to task for posing the new set of questions, saying they were unnecessary and divisive.
"These questions are controversial and could lead to arguments. They shouldn't have been raised. They are intended to gain the political upper hand, to praise oneself and criticise others," he said.
Chusak Sirinil, who is in charge of the Pheu Thai Party's legal affairs, lambasted the prime minister's questions as being "biased and shameful".
The Pheu Thai member said the government was implementing several programmes initiated by politicians without being subjected to examination and yet it continued to undermine politicians.
He said the questions about new political parties and politicians to pursue the reform agenda indicated a dictatorial mindset. Mr Chusak also asked if the regime had the legitimacy to force the 20-year plan on future governments.
"We'll have to question if they have the legitimacy to draft the national strategy. The drafting process and content emerged from the regime without public input and laws have been written to commit [future governments] for 20 years," he said.
He also slammed the regime for flip-flopping on the roadmap, saying calls to lift the political ban were growing due to concerns about being taken advantage of.
The Pheu Thai Party also issued a statement Wednesday calling on the regime to put an end to its 2014 ban on political parties, saying any delay could push back the general election promised for November next year.
It said by lifting the ban and allowing political parties to resume their activities, the regime would be in compliance with the new charter which recognises political rights and freedoms.
Somsak Prisananathakul, a core Chartthaipattana party member, declined to comment on whether the six questions conveyed the regime's political interests.
However, Mr Somsak said that because the constitution has already come into force, the government and the regime should let the process run its course.
National Legislative Assembly president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai declined to comment on the controversial questions, saying the assembly was one of the "five rivers", a term referring to the core organisations running the country.
Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paojinda said Gen Prayut intends to clarify his questions in his televised weekly programme on Friday evening.
He said the ministry will be responsible for gathering public opinion about the questions.
