Thai PM reasons why ex-female PM is banned from traveling abroad

BANGKOK, February 12 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha says that former female prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra should stay in the country to defend herself in the court and security officers were escorting her to prevent any untoward incident. Regarding his National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO)'s rejection against Yingluck's recent request to travel abroad, Prime Minister General Prayut told journalists on Thursday that legal cases are being prepared against her; so, she should enter the justice system and if she is found innocent, she can run in general elections to return to the national administration. The prime minister stressed that every party should respect rules and be subject to the justice system, expressing his appreciation to Yingluck's lawyer, Norawit Lalaeng, for affirming that Yingluck would not escape and would defend herself in the court. The prime minister admitted that security officers were deployed to escort the former prime minister, reasoning that the measure was for the protection of very important persons (VIPs) because an untoward incident would, otherwise, cause problems. The prime minister, however, begged for a forgiveness if security officers searched vehicles and any action that was a bit harsh, reiterating that he has always honored the ex-female prime minister. Meanwhile, the prime minister noted he did not tell Japanese media that he would stage another coup, but he explained why he has had to seize national administration. Referring to his interview during his official visit to Japan from February 8-10, the Thai premier insisted he did not mean he would stage another coup if the nation faced another round of serious conflicts, but he only said that the country had faced protests against an elected government and entered a dead end; so, the Thai military has had to take the administrative control. According to the prime minister, once there is the new Constitution and new rules, Thai political parties will be convinced to accept them and the persuasion is the responsibility of the National Reform Council (NRC) and the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC). The prime minister explained that Thailand's new Charter and new rules are aimed at preventing conflicts in the country and the reform roadmap of his government foresees the new general election by early 2016. The prime minister mentioned if the nation progresses after the new general election without the recurrence of past problems, he will consider that his duty ends. The prime minister conceded he could not tell whether there would be another coup in the future because that would depend on all people's contribution to the nation after the new general election and the establishment of the newly-elected Thai government. (TNA)