BANGKOK, 6 December 2013 Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan insisted on Thursday that requesting a royally-bestowed line-up of cabinet ministers or a prime minister cannot be done under Article 7 of the charter.
Mr. Charupong spoke of demonstration leader Suthep Thueksuban’s claim over rights stipulated under Article 3 and Article 7 of the charter for a royally-bestowed ministerial cabinet. He asserted such practice cannot be implemented in accordance with the charter, adding that the government had always tried to seek solutions based on democratic principles, via Parliament. He added that Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had been trying to talk to Mr. Suthep, and the latter’s proposals would be heeded if they were within the framework of the Constitution.
Wirot Ali, a lecturer at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Political Science, said Article 7 was considered a violation of rights under the democratic framework because Parliament had not ‘disintegrated’ and the political system was still functional. In addition, most members of the public were ready to exercise their rights in going to the polls.
In the meantime,The ‘citizens group for peace’ plans to hold a discussion over the topic of whether Article 7 in the charter can provide an exit for the current political conflicts.
