Thailand junta replaces martial law with absolute power
Source: France 24 Latest update : 2015-04-02
On Wednesday, Thailand’s junta lifted martial law, which was imposed in the run-up to their May 22, 2014, coup - but then quickly replaced it with another set of draconian laws innocuously called “Article 44.” But make no mistake - 10 months after staging the coup, a military junta is still ruling Thailand, essentially with absolute power.
The move is the junta’s latest cosmetic change aimed at putting a softer face on a military ruled country, according to scholars, jurists and rights groups who called the development a PR stunt and a sleight of hand aimed at helping restore Thailand’s image abroad while keeping the junta firmly in control at home. Others wondered half-jokingly if the government of former army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha pranked the country with an April Fool’s joke.
Thailand’s king on Wednesday formally approved a request from the junta that martial law be lifted. Within minutes of the announcement being aired on national television, another announcement was broadcast informing the country that in place of martial law, the junta was invoking Article 44, a special security measure in the military-imposed interim constitution. It gives Prayuth the power to override any branch of government in the name of national security, and absolves him of any legal responsibility for his actions.
The New York-based group Human Rights Watch said the decision to invoke Article 44 marked “Thailand’s deepening descent into dictatorship”.
Read more: http://www.france24.com/en/20150402-thailand-junta-replaces-martial-law-with-absolute-power/
Thailand' military has an unfortunate and historical tendency to intervene in politics. They've seized power 12 times since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932.
More of the same, I guess.
Ironic that the move came on April Fool's Day.
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