Majority of Thais supports Govt’s exercise of Section 44: Spokesperson

BANGKOK, April 5 (TNA) – The majority of Thai people are confident that the government will exercise power under Section 44 of the interim constitution to solve security and other problems in a constructive manner, said Deputy Government Spokesperson Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd on Sunday. He referred to results of an opinion survey on the Section 44 of the interim charter by Suan Dusit Poll, which was released on Sunday. Under the survey, 51.58 percent of the respondents agreed with the invocation of the Section 44 to ensure national order, while 32.33 percent expressed their disagreement, saying that the law could lead to power abuse. The survey was conducted on 1,262 people across the country between April 1 and 4. Major General Sansern said Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha is concerned that the people might misunderstand the government’s motive in invoking the special law. He said the military-led National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), in fact, has the power under the Section 44 since the declaration of the interim charter but it has never used it to violate people’s rights. As foreign media still appear to not understand the government’s motive for invoking the special law, the government will, therefore, organize a forum on Tuesday to clarify foreign journalists and diplomats about the law, the spokesperson said. The government invoked the section 44 to ensure national order and to replace the martial which was lifted up last week after nearly one year of its imposition. Major General Sansern made the remark in place of General Prayut, who visited the northern capital of Chiang Mai today to present certificates to local agriculturists to allow them to use selected forest area for farming and to also open a tourist cultural centre. General Prayuth is scheduled to return to Bangkok tonight. (End)