Thai DPM:There is no problem for constitutional ban on future coup

BANGKOK, May 27 (TNA) - Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, says that there will not be any problem if Thailand's new Constitution bans no more future coup by the military. General Prawit, who oversees national security, stressed on the stance on Wednesday, reiterating that the Thai army-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), in which he is a chief advisor, has no policy on staying long in power and it will not have any problem if the new Charter bans future coup. General Prawit pointed out that no one wanted to stage a coup unless the country faced a crisis. Regarding a process to write the new Thai Constitution which may include a time-consuming referendum, General Prawit reaffirmed that NCPO has no plan to extend the interim Thai government but strictly adhering to its roadmap for national reform toward the new general election. The deputy prime minister and defence minister noted that concerned authorities will find ways to create proper understanding with the public on the postponed timeframe to ensure order. The deputy prime minister and defence minister admitted that there was a brief clash between state security forces and students protesting against NCPO's move on taking the administrative power on May 22, 2014 at Bangkok Art & Culture Center recently, insisting that the students had to face legal actions because the interim government and NCPO have already opened public forums for them to express opinions. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam told reporters that the government's committee on compensation for victims of political violence has resolved to pay 400,000 baht in compensation for each case of people killed in protests against the past Yingluck Shinawatra government during 2013- 2014, plus a monthly allowance for child care. Dr. Wissanu, who oversees legal affairs, elaborated that compensation for each case of severe injuries has also set at up to 400,000 baht, while each case of life-long disabilities will obtain 200,000 baht in compensation. According to the deputy premier, the compensation rates, to be sponsored by a state budget of about 100 million baht, will be proposed to the Thai Cabinet for further consideration within a few weeks and will then be paid right after it wins a Cabinet approval. The deputy premier acknowledged that the committee, chaired by he, himself, has not considered compensation for victims of political violence during 2004-2010, most of whom are pro-Yingluck red-shirt demonstrators, pending a conclusion of a probe by a sub-committee of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which initially found that official compensation which was paid to part of the red-clad victims was illegal. (TNA)