BANGKOK, 26 January 2014 The government has assured that its decision to invoke the Emergency Decree is constitutional as well as to protect the country’s democracy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, an advisor to the Center for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO), said the government had the right to issue the state of emergency decree and the enforcement was for the peace and benefit of the society as well as to maintain Thailand’s democracy.
He issisted that under the state of emergency, people can still carry on their daily lives as usual, because the law is being enforced only against the protesters and those violating the law.
The CMPO advisor also assured members of the public of the government’s measures to handle the situation, saying government officers would not use force to crack down on the protesters.
Lastly, Mr. Surapong asked the protesters not to block entrances to state buildings and allow government officials and civil servants to carry out their duties as usual.
