FFP slams Apirat’s lecture remarks
SAYS HE IS ‘INSTIGATING HATRED’ AND ‘CAUSING DIVISIONS’
>>The Future Forward Party (FFP) yesterday hit back at army chief Apirat Kongsompong over his controversial remarks against academics and politicians, saying his comments would only cause divisions and instigate hatred.
FFP secretary-general Piyabutr Saengkanokkul yesterday held a special lecture at the party’s headquarters, saying it was in response to a lecture given by Gen Apirat on Friday, even though the army did not mention the party directly during his remarks.
Mr Piyabutr said the army chief’s remarks had not solved any problems, but had driven a wedge into society. Gen Apirat had failed to grasp the changing political circumstances, and his remarks had sown hatred and made new enemies. Mr Piyabutr said the army chief should not regard those who hold different views as enemies, but should open his mind and listen to political parties, and respect diverse opinions to steer the country away from a conflict.
Responding to Gen Apirat’s resistance to a proposed amendment to Section 1 of the constitution, Mr Piyabutr said the army chief’s concern about charter change was unwarranted. He insisted the opposition’s charter change campaign disregarded the section, which stipulates that Thailand is one indivisible kingdom.
FFP leader Thanathorn Jungroongruangkit said Gen Apirat’s comments did not serve any useful purpose and only served to divide society. He also brushed aside accusations that he was involved with the protesters in Hong Kong, saying his critics, including the army chief, had no proof to back their claims and that an orchestrated smear campaign is underway to discredit him.
During Friday’s lecture on national security at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters, Gen Apirat accused some politicians, academics and “old communist elements” of using “hybrid warfare” to undermine the country and the monarchy.
The lecture was attended by about 500 people, including university students, lecturers, local leaders and domestic and foreign journalists. Gen Apirat described collusion between unidentified “communist” politicians and “extreme left” academics who had studied abroad.
He claimed some communist elements still have ideas of overthrowing the monarchy to turn Thailand towards communism. “They are working with some foreign-educated and far-left academics to plant wrong ideas into the minds of students,” Gen Apirat said, adding they were using social media to spread “propaganda” and fake news.
The old communist members who became politicians and academics still have their implanted “communistic chips”, he said.
The army chief also voiced fierce opposition to a proposed amendment to Section 1 of the constitution. The proposed change was raised by an academic at a public discussion on potential changes to the constitution in Pattani on Oct 4, with some opposition leaders attending.
He also lambasted an unnamed politician who met Hong Kong student activist Joshua Wong after the Chinese embassy issued a statement accusing the politician of contacting a group involved in the protests in Hong Kong.
The army chief did not name the politician but showed a picture of the Hong Kong activist and another person whose picture was removed.
However, on Mr Wong’s Facebook account, the picture shows Mr Wong and Future Forward Party leader Mr Thanathorn.
Mr Thanathorn yesterday took to Facebook to deny allegations that he is involved with the protesters, writing he was invited by The Economist to speak at a forum called “Inside the Minds of Asia’s Next Gen Politicians” last Saturday.
Mr Wong was not a speaker, but Mr Thanathorn said he met him afterwards and posed for a photo.
Activist Srisuwan Janya yesterday said he will petition the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to launch an ethics probe against Gen Apirat over his remarks during the lecture.
Mr Srisuwan alleged Gen Apirat’s remarks were not politically neutral and might be in violation of the Defence Ministry’s code of ethical standards, and the law governing military discipline.