BANGKOK, 5 April 2015 – Many public opinion polls have indicated a majority of Thai people is confident that the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the Government will creatively use an executive order under Section 44 of the interim constitution. The order was introduced in place of martial law, amid the stated concerns of international organizations. Deputy government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd, was commented on Sunday
He said a delay in normal problem-solving procedures in Thailand may cause negative effects on various aspects of national progress especially economic growth.
Responding to the concerns of international organizations in regard to the use of Section 44, Maj Gen Sansern said the organizations still lacked an understanding of Thailand’s special context which required the introduction of Section 44.
Thus representatives of NCPO and the Government, led by Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, have invited foreign media and international Ambassadors to a meeting on Tuesday 7th April at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The meeting is intended to confirm that Thai authorities have never abused Section 44.
Maj Gen Sansern mentioned the issue of using Section 44 to silence abusive news content. He said that since the law had been enforced, none of the appropriately responsible media had been deprived their right to free speech.
However Gen Prayut’s personality of sincerity and accuracy has prompted wide criticism. To avoid such criticism, he will become more low profile and allow the authorities which are directly related to particular issues handle the flow of information.
