ID :
355762
Fri, 01/30/2015 - 11:33
Auther :

Thai DPM:Enforcement of martial law remains necessary

BANGKOK, January 30 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Krua-ngam confirms that the imposition of martial law remains necessary in the country, as recommended by security authorities, insisting that the enforcement of the special law does not affect people's normal ways of life. Wisanu told reporters that the enforcement of martial law in Thailand has not posed any problem to the public although the international community may be startled by its name. Wisanu pointed out that martial law has been used for maintaining order in Thailand for a long time, especially in sensitive areas in the violence-plagued Thai far South, where people have carried on their normal ways of life and seemed to forget that the special law has remained in place. The deputy prime minister elaborated that most of the time, Thai security authorities have not fully enforced the martial law in targeted areas and people have not, thus, been much affected by the special law, as they can continue their normal ways of life although some may be irritated by its enforcement. According to the deputy prime minister, security authorities have stressed that the imposition of martial law remains necessary in Thailand currently. The deputy prime minister's remarks followed US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel's recent comment that Thai security authorities should lift the imposition of the martial law shortly. Meanwhile, a latest opinion poll, conducted by Bangkok-based Rajabhat Suan Dusit University from January 28-29, showed that the majority of respondents nationwide, or 46.02 per cent of overall 1,219 interviewed on the random basis, viewed that the martial law should be maintained for the time being. In related issues, Royal Thai Army Spokesman Winthai Suvaree told journalists on Friday the Royal Thai Army has had no information yet on reports that a secretary to the Thai Ambassador to Thailand recently visited leading red-clad activists in the Thai Northeast. The spokesman stated that everyone has individual rights to do legal and appropriate activities unless they negatively affect relations with other countries, such as political issues or moves considered intervening in official policies of other countries. According to the spokesman, foreign diplomats normally observe standard diplomatic courtesy and ethics and those of several countries have always honoured Thailand, especially the Unites States, which has established diplomatic relations with Thailand for over a century. Key figures who criticised the interim government and were summoned for talks with senior army officers, aimed at changing their negative attitude against the military junta, have been, in the meantime, released, including Nattawut Saikua, a core leader of the red-clad United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), as well as former Thai deputy prime minister and foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, ex-education minister Chaturon Chaisang and ex-energy minister Pichai Naripthaphan . (TNA)

X