Regime takes aim at Future Forward

Tread carefully with charter, says Wissanu

The government warned the Future Forward Party to tread carefully after it proposed scrapping the 2017 constitution and revoking all of the regime’s orders at the first opportunity should it be elected to run the country.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who also serves as chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), criticised the newly registered party for exploiting an event that was allowed to take place on Sunday despite a widespread ban on political gatherings and use it as a pretext to attack the regime.

The event was held so its members could select a party leader and executive committee.

“I monitor every party. It’s the NCPO’s job to follow up and see if the parties stay in compliance with the law,” Gen Prayut said.

“Whatever you do, please think carefully,” he said in a remark clearly addressed to the party.

“Don’t see the laws as mere obstacles. They are designed to be fair. None of the other parties speak ill of others. Mostly they just have their general assembly and discuss recruiting members. Is criticising [the NCPO] and accusing it of all these things really appropriate?”

Speaking after the Future Forward Party’s general assembly at Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus on Sunday, party founder Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said he would pardon all political prisoners if the party gains power next February, when the election is due to take place.

“They are young people, ordinary people who have exercised their rights and civil liberties. These fundamental rights should be recognised,” Mr Thanathorn said.

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, who was named secretary-general, insisted the party would seek to “amend” Section 279 of the charter during its first day in parliament.

This section legalises all of the orders, announcements, and the actions of the NCPO.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kreangam said the party could float the charter amendment proposal as part of its manifesto, as this would not be considered a hostile act.

But he said it should be careful with its use of language when discussing changes to the constitution as some comments could lead to legal problems.

Mr Thanathorn was quoted by some media as saying he planned to “tear the charter up” when he discussed the party’s agenda earlier.

Prawit Wongsuwon, also a deputy prime minister, shrugged off the party’s amnesty plan, saying he believed it would not affect the regime.

Chartchai na Chiang Mai, a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC), said he suspected the talk of changing the charter was just noise.

He said Section 256 allows 50,000 people to sign a petition seeking amendments to the constitution and noted the Future Forward Party could proceed with this immediately if it wanted to.

“I think it is more like testing the water. It’s a political act,” he said.

Whatever you do, please think carefully ... Is criticising [the NCPO] and accusing it of all these things really appropriate? GEN PRAYUT CHAN-O-CHA PRIME MINISTER

Democrat Wiratana Kalayasiri said that with enough public support it would be possible for the new party to push for an amnesty for those prosecuted for violating the regime’s orders.

However, he urged all parties to proceed with caution, saying such a plan could backfire if pursued too aggressively and not in full consideration of the rule of law.

He was apparently referring to the Pheu Thai Party’s controversial amnesty bill in former years, which led to a series of street protests against the then-ruling party.

Mr Wiratana said the Future Forward Party could study the charter to see how it could proceed, otherwise its grandstanding would amount to little more than an empty promise.

Tida Tawornseth, leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), voiced her support for the proposed amnesty, saying the charges levelled against pro-election activists were “absurd”.

She also called on parties to address the issue, urging them to pardon those prosecuted for exercising their civil rights and defending their freedom of speech.

“If the NCPO is smart it would scrap those charges and orders,” she said.

Adul Khiewboriboon, chairman of a support group for relatives of victims of the 1992 Black May unrest, disagreed with the amnesty suggestion, saying those who have been unfairly accused should fight their cases in court.

He said there is no need to make the issue a policy platform when civil rights and liberties are already recognised by the constitution.

“They shouldn’t have been prosecuted in the first place. But those who were [charged unfairly] have to fight the charges. I think the lawsuits against them will ultimately be dismissed because they violate their fundamental rights,” he said.

He said some of the regime’s critics may support the amnesty proposal because they have suits pending.

Jarungvith Phumma, secretary-general of the Election Commission, said it is not unlawful for the Future Forward Party to bring up a charter amendment and amnesty plan.

He said the public will decide whether or not to support such policies when the elections roll around.