he National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has reiterated Thailand’s firm commitment to returning to a democratic path in accordance with its three-stage roadmap.
According to NCPO Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the three-stage roadmap is scheduled to be completed within one and a half year from now on. He explained the compelling rationale for the takeover of the national administration on 22 May 2014, the necessity to maintain martial law and notable improvements of political atmosphere after 22 May, and that peace and order has now been restored. He also emphasized that Thailand wishes to remain actively engaged with the international community.
Gen Prayuth has recently met with representatives of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand. He stated that the NCPO was compelled to take control of national administration in order to solve the prolonged political conflict, restore peace and order, prevent the escalation of violence, and tackle administrative paralysis.
The roadmap outlined by the NCPO consists of three phases. The first phase, the General said, started with the NCPO organizing activities aimed at encouraging people to meet and interact in order to reduce conflicts and providing opportunities for them to hear different opinions and obtain complete information from all angles. As many of them have been listening to only one-sided information, these efforts are intended to create mutual trust and reduce suspicions among the people.
In the second phase, a provisional constitution would be drawn up by the NCPO’s legal team. A legislative council will be established to select an interim Prime Minister, appoint cabinet members to administer the country, and draft a new constitution. A reform council will also be established to resolve existing conflicts, with solutions acceptable to all sides. This will probably take about a year to complete. It could be longer or shorter depending on the situation and cooperation from all sides. And in the final phase, a general election under a democratic system legal and accepted by all sides will be held.
