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  • Yingluck reminds Prayut of her predicament six years ago

    In a veiled dig at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, former premier Yingluck Shinawatra has jogged the general's memory to a time six years ago when her government was besieged by protests.

    In a Facebook post on Saturday, Yingluck said: “I do not know if everyone still remembers? Six years ago, a group of people called themselves the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) and demanded my resignation. And the Army chief, Prayut Chan-o-cha, asked if I could continue leading the government.

    "In the end, I decided to announce the dissolution of Parliament to pave the way for new elections so that the people could determine the future of the country for themselves in keeping with democratic principles."

    Pointing to the series of rallies demanding the resignation of the PM and his government, Yingluck said: "Today, the same event has happened to Prayut. Students, brothers and sisters want to see the country change, and they are asking Prayut to resign and amend the Constitution. I have been monitoring the situation in Thailand with concern.

    "It reminded me of a time when you [Prayut] asked me six years ago if I was okay. And I hope you remember that today and choose to make a decision quickly so that the country can calm down and move on.”


    Political turmoil broke out at the end of 2013, when the then-Pheu Thai Party government led by Yingluck proposed a draft of the Political Amnesty Act, widely known as "executive Amnesty”. The move triggered a wave of resistance and large-scale protests. The PDRC demanded the withdrawal of the Amnesty Act, which later forced the government to resign. The government dissolved Parliament, but the PDRC prevented elections from happening calling for pre-election reform.: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/...ernal_referral - https://www.facebook.com/Y.Shinawatr...4534896924271/

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    • Extraordinary Parliament session considered, Prayut says

      Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on Monday that the government was considering reopening Parliament for an extraordinary session to ease political tensions.

      He said the Cabinet will discuss the issue when it meets on Tuesday. The premier also said that there were no plans to extend the state of emergency to other provinces apart from Bangkok, adding that the government has done its best to make compromises with the protesters.

      The prime minister slapped the capital with a “severe” state of emergency at 4am on October 15 in a bid to control the protesters, who want Prayut and his government to resign, the charter made more democratic and the monarchy reformed.

      Meanwhile, Parliament President Chuan Leekpai said most representatives of political parties and Cabinet members who met on Monday agreed with the option of holding an extraordinary Parliamentary session. He said Prayut will be informed of this resolution right away.: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/...ernal_referral

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      • House Speaker tells PM all parties agree to a special parliamentary session

        Parliament President Chuan Leekpai has formally informed Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha about cross party agreement to the opening of an extraordinary parliamentary session, to discuss the current political conflict, in a bid to find a peaceful solution.

        In the formal letter, addressed to the Prime Minister, Mr. Chuan said he had called an informal meeting of representatives of all the parties today and all agreed that the Cabinet should endorse the promulgation of a Royal Decree, to declare the opening of an extraordinary session.

        In the letter, it was suggested that there should be a general debate, without voting, to let both senators and MPs share their views, in the hope of finding solutions to the political conflict.

        Earlier, the Prime Minister had said that he supports a special parliamentary session being called.

        Meanwhile, the opposition Pheu Thai Party repeated its call for the Government to lift the state of emergency and for the Prime Minister to resign immediately.

        Party leader Sompong Amornvivat said that they have instructed all of their MPs to be ready to help provide bail for detained protesters, by using their parliamentary status. All were told to apply for letters of guarantee of their parliamentary status from the Parliamentary Secretariat, he added.

        He said that the party will seek to censure the Prime Minister once Parliament resumes its ordinary session in November.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/house-s...ntary-session/


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        • Prayut doubles down on media/Voice TV defiant as court blocks content

          Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has told authorities to take no chances in censorship scrutiny of broadcast and online content that could be deemed to violate the state of emergency.

          The PM's move came on the day the Criminal Court ordered that Voice TV's online content to be blocked.

          Speaking to reporters after a meeting of his cabinet, Gen Prayut said the authorities had been told to respect the freedom of the press but to also take legal action against those who spread false information and fake news that violated other people's rights.

          "We are duty-bound to protect the country and eliminate ill-intentioned actions aimed at creating chaos and conflict in the country," Gen Prayut declared.

          He paid tribute to media outlets who had played a crucial role in creating constructive change in society, saying those who conducted their work impartially had made a substantial contribution to the country.

          Several local media organisations warned the government on Monday not to violate the freedom of the press after reports emerged that five online outlets faced legal action for breaching the state of emergency.

          They included the National Press Council of Thailand, the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, Online News Providers Association and the National Union of Journalists Thailand.

          The groups spoke out after the leaking of an order issued by the government's joint Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) for the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and the Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry.

          That order followed an examination of media content deemed to be a threat to national security.

          The order said: "It appears there are television broadcasts of content deemed to threaten national security or good morals by presenting certain content from Voice TV, Prachatai.com, The Reporters, The Standard and Free Youth movement."

          The government is also said to have been planning to block the Telegram messaging app, which anti-government protesters flocked to after police moved to shut down their Facebook accounts.

          The Criminal Court on Tuesday ordered the blockage of all of Voice TV's online content as requested by the DES Ministry, according to the ministry deputy permanent secretary, Putchapong Nodthaisong.

          That content was not blocked immediately after the court order, however, because DES representatives first need to explain to the court today precisely how it plans to block the content.

          The court has yet to issue orders for the other four news outlets mentioned in the leaked order: Prachatai.com, The Reporters, The Standard and the Free Youth movement.

          Voice TV, a multi-platform news network owned by the family of former prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra, broadcasts on satellite TV, a website, Facebook and YouTube.

          Mr Putchapong said the ministry found the news outlet had posted false information in violation of the Computer Crime Act and the state of emergency ... and that ruling cannot be appealed.

          Voice TV CEO Mekin Petchplai later released a statement saying he had yet to see the order and the station would continue operating in the meantime.

          He insisted the company had conducted its work ethically and without publishing any distorted information that could have created misunderstandings or undermined national security or public order.

          While Voice TV's websites -- or certain programmes -- can be blocked immediately by local ISPs and mobile phone operators, it remains to be seen whether Facebook and YouTube will comply with the order to block the contentious content, and if so, when.

          Blocking something in social media, however, is easier said than done given the ease of opening a new account and the proliferation of virtual private networks, which mask the internet protocol (IP) address of a user, rendering his online actions virtually untraceable.

          Mr Putchapong admitted the operator of Voice TV could simply open new Facebook or YouTube accounts to circumvent the ban.

          However, he warned that if they continued to spread fake news they would be closed again.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...-down-on-media
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          • State of emergency ends in Bangkok

            Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has revoked his state of severe emergency declaration in Bangkok, and related orders, effective from noon on Thursday, saying the violence that prompted it is over.

            The announcement was published in the Royal Gazette.

            It said the state of emergency declarations were issued on Oct 15 and 16 to stop offences against the royal institution and unrest. The declarations had been set to be valid until Nov 13.

            On Thursday Gen Prayut said that the violent situation had ended and government officials were able to enforce relevant laws to solve problems.

            Therefore, he had revoked the state of emergency declarations and related announcements, requirements and orders, effective from noon.

            On Wednesday night, the prime minister said in a TV Pool address that everyone should take a step back in the conflict between the government and the anti-government movement.

            He offered to lift the state of emergency, and asked that his opponents to reciprocate by toning down their hateful and divisive speeches.

            "I will make the first move to de-escalate this situation. I am currently preparing to lift the state of severe emergency in Bangkok and will do so promptly if there are no violent incidents," he said on Wednesday night.

            "I ask the protesters to reciprocate with sincerity, to turn down the volume on hateful and divisive talk," he said.

            He also said that demonstrators should let members of the parliament, who represent the whole population, discuss the political problems and solutions.

            However, demonstrators on Wednesday night again demanded that Gen Prayut resign from office within three days and ignored his suggestion of relying on the parliamentary process.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...nds-in-bangkok


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            • Army chief shows gesture of support for Prayut

              Army chief Narongphan Jitkaewtae did not say a word but used a gesture to show his stance on Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, as the prime minister is under intensifying pressure from student-led protesters to step down.

              A retired soldier from the 31st Infantry Regiment was heard asking the army commander to take care of the prime minister but Gen Narongphan did not reply. Instead, he smiled and nodded.

              The retired officer, who served in the same regiment as Gen Narongphan did, was attending a ceremony on Friday at the Royal Thai Army headquarters to mark the 110th anniversary of the passing of King Chulalongkorn. King Rama V was the founder of modern-day defence forces.

              The army chief has been tightlipped since the anti-government protesters gave Gen Prayut, who is also the defence minister, until Saturday to quit and set free all detained activists.

              Gen Narongphan refused to comment on politics when asked about the protests after the ceremony.

              But he sternly warned students during his first briefing on Oct 6 after taking the top army position against touching the monarchy.

              Despite Gen Prayut's pledge to take a step back, the country's political crisis has deepened after royalists began campaigns across the country over the past few days to counter the movements led by student activists, who also demand reform of the highest institution and a new charter, in addition to the resignation of the prime minister.

              They assembled in at least 10 provinces and vowed to protect the monarchy. The rallies in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phitsanulok and Khon Kaen were among the largest, drawing more than 1,000 each.

              "Students have the right to protest but they must not attack the monarchy," said Thassani Srisopha, the leader of the women group in Muang district of Khon Kaen province.

              Gen Prayut lifted the state of emergency on Thursday after he appeared on a nationally televised programme calling for all sides to take a step back and use Parliament to resolve the political differences.

              Parliament will hold a special session on Monday.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...ort-for-prayut

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              • Protesters plan action after PM ignores deadline to quit

                Anti-government protesters said on Saturday they would hold demonstrations on Sunday and Monday after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ignored their 10pm deadline to resign.

                Asked by journalists whether he would stand down, Gen Prayut simply said "won't quit" after Buddhist prayers at Wat Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram that were held to call for national healing following months of protests that have also demanded reforms of the monarchy.

                After the deadline expired, the Dao Din group announced on its Facebook account that a rally will be held at Ratchaprasong intersection at 4pm on Sunday. The protesters will gather at Samyan intersection at 5pm on Monday and walk to the German embassy, it added.

                "Prayut is the problem. The first obstacle that we need to remove," said Jatupat “Pai Dao Din” Boonpattararaksa, one of the leaders of the demonstration planned for Sunday. He was among dozens of protesters arrested this month and was freed on bail on Friday.

                Since July, protesters have been demanding the departure of Gen Prayut and a new constitution. More recently they have also stepped up demands for reforms to curb the powers of the monarchy.

                Gen Prayut, who first took power in a 2014 coup, rejects the accusations of his critics that he engineered last year's election to keep power.

                After the prayers he said: "I urge everyone to conciliate and help solve problems together."

                He has called for an emergency session of parliament on Monday and Tuesday to try to resolve the crisis, but his opponents have little faith in the outcome given his supporters have a parliamentary majority.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...adline-to-quit

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                • PM insists he will not resign, saying he is not going to ‘abandon the country during crisis’

                  Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha categorically stated in Parliament on Tuesday that he will not resign or “run away from problems during a crisis”. He was responding to an opposition proposal that he should step down amid the student-led political protests.

                  “You should think back to the political rallies in 2006 and 2014, when the ones in power also did not resign,” he told the opposition coalition during an extraordinary session of Parliament, in which the opposition proposed that he quit.

                  “I refuse to comply with the proposals that do not represent the needs of the majority of the people, and will not run away from problems or abandon the country during crisis,” he stated.

                  “Ask yourself whether the victory you will gain on top of the country’s wreckage will be worth it or not, because by then we will have nothing left to change. Think about the children. Don’t use them to drive political movements.”

                  The prime minister then thanked Parliament members who expressed their opinions and suggested solutions to solve the political problem, and vowed to adapt them based on real situations.

                  “However, what worries me the most is the outbreak of Covid-19. I want every party to be extra careful as I don’t want to see the country go back into lockdown as in April,” he warned.

                  Prayut said the government is working on problems to do with the economy and prioritise solving unemployment and providing welfare to all groups of affected people.

                  “The political rallies could undermine the confidence in our economy, but what worries me is that it could cause a rift in Thai society. We used to say that Thais treat each other as family members and respect one another. I don’t want to see this culture disappear because of misunderstanding between generations,” he said.

                  About the incident in which Pheu Thai Party MP Visan Techatirawat slashed himself with a knife in Parliament earlier on Tuesday, Prayut said a news source revealed that the incident had been prepared in advance to gain attention from media around the world.

                  “However, I regret that it happened, as such an incident has never taken place in Parliament before,” Prayut added.

                  Strawberry generation: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/...ernal_referral


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                  • Prayut and Cabinet check tourism preparations on Samui

                    PM Prayut Chan-o-cha led a Cabinet visit to the tourism hotspot of Koh Samui on Monday, to check preparations for the return of foreign visitors.

                    After landing at Koh Samui International Airport, the PM and his ministers inspected the Covid-19 screening checkpoints and told staff to be prepared for more tourist arrivals.

                    Prayut and his Cabinet also visited the Sheraton Samui Resort Hotel in Bo Phut to check the Alternative Local State Quarantine (ALSQ) for foreign tourists.

                    Foreigners must complete the mandatory 14-day ALSQ at one of eight hotels on Samui. If they then test negative for the virus, they can travel to various locations on the island, wearing an electronic wristband to monitor their movements. Any found to be infected with Covid-19 will be transferred for treatment.

                    The other ALSQ hotels are the Melia, Outrigger, Koh Samui Beach Resort, Baan Hin Sai Resort & Spa, Banyan tree, Impiana resort, and Aura Samui Best Beach Hotel.

                    The PM and his Cabinet also checked Samui’s Smart City Command Centre, which monitors safety for locals and tourists via 1,014 closed-circuit cameras located around the island. It also operates 26 free WiFi points that offer the SAFE T (SAFE-Travel) tourism information app.

                    The PM said he appreciated the efforts of staff at the Smart City Command Centre in taking care of the safety and health of citizens and tourists on Koh Samui.

                    The Cabinet will move on to Phuket on Tuesday, where it will hold its weekly meeting at the Splash Beach Resort.: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/...ernal_referral



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                    • PM and the Army sued for defamation over alleged IO blog

                      Former member of the Thailand’s National Human Rights Commission, Angkhana Neelaphaijit, together with a Human Rights activist, Unchana Heemmina have filed a civil defamation lawsuit defamation against the Office of the Thailand’s Prime Minister.

                      They claim the Government’s Information Operation (IO) published distorted information and defamed Unchana, a Human Right activist, through the website Puliny.blogspot.com.

                      Unchana is also a former member of the National Human Rights Commission for the south.

                      They said they are suing the Office of the Prime Minister because it is responsible for the Internal Security Operations Command, or ISOC, which, in February, admitted involvement with the website in question.

                      In February, a spokesperson for ISOC said, during a press conference, that the unit had funded the website Puliny.blogspot.com, with the intention to disseminate accurate information, educate the public about official operations and build understanding among in society. It claimed the main objective was to encourage human rights and peace.

                      However, ISOC stated that the website was not operated by the army or ISOC, as a former Future Forward MP, Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, had claimed.

                      Puliny.blogspot.com, now offline, was a website which published stories and “news” about the southernmost provinces of Thailand. In February, it received over 2 million visits, and published reports in several languages.

                      Angkhana claims that, every time they express an opinion about the security officials, when they feel that people’s rights have been violated, the website always fires back with, what she claims, is false information that vilifies the activists.

                      The example Unchana gave was when she reported on incidents of torture in the southern border provinces. She was then attacked, using false information from the website, and she claimed that her family was threatened.

                      In this lawsuit, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha is the main defendant, with the Army as co-defendant.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/pm-and-...leged-io-blog/

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                      • Prayut seeks 'Mr Right' to take over top job

                        Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Thursday said he would be happy to have a better person replace him as premier of Thailand and claimed he is tired of using his authority.

                        "If in the future, there is a person who is better, more capable and more honest than me, similarly honest, [he or she] would continue the work and be in charge of the country," he said.

                        "But being in power is not a fun matter. I exercised a lot of power when I was the army chief for four years.

                        I am fed up with using power. I used the power to take care of good people and punish people who do bad things. Only two [kinds of exercising power] are difficult enough already."

                        He made his remarks as a keynote speaker at a course-opening event at the Thailand National Defence College.

                        He said he had never expected to be prime minister and was surprised he had been in the post for six years.

                        "Many people accused me of using the power illegally, I don't know where I have broken the laws. I comply with all the laws," he said.

                        He asked for the people to help promote national unity and said the 20-year national strategy does not mean he intends to stay in power for 20 years.

                        "I might die today or tomorrow, nobody knows," he said.

                        Meanwhile, anti-government protesters will hold a major rally on Sunday at Democracy Monument with a plan to march to an undisclosed location.

                        The United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) announced on its Facebook page they will start their rally that day at 4pm.

                        The UFTD urged protesters to turn out to reiterate their three core demands: Gen Prayut's resignation, a charter rewrite and monarchy reform.

                        Meanwhile, Anont Kingkaew, a member of a royalist group, on Thursday said his group had lodged a complaint with Tha Phra police station against a group of protesters who took part in the anti-government rally near Tha Phra intersection on Monday for inappropriate behaviour towards the royal institution. He did not say what happened.

                        He noted his group will not hold a counter rally on Sunday at Democracy Monument as some had claimed.

                        Instead, royalists are planning to gather at Ramkhamhaeng University the following day to show their support for the monarchy.

                        Two groups of people reported to police to hear sedition charges in connection with recent anti-government demonstrations.

                        Patsaravalee "Mind" Tanakitvibulpon turned up at Thung Mahamek station for the Oct 26 rally near the German embassy, while Piyabutr Saengkanokkul and Pannika Wanich, core members of the Progressive Movement, reported to Phaya Thai police station to hear their sedition charges.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...e-over-top-job

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                          • PM to share lessons from Thailand's success in containing Covid-19 with Paris forum

                            Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Friday that he would share the lessons Thailand had learned from its success in containing Covid-19 at the third Paris Peace Forum, which will be held on November 12 via online video conferencing.

                            In his statement, Prayut said, “The third edition of Paris Peace Forum is an important opportunity where I join other leaders, international organisations and civil society, in a brainstorming session to draw lessons learned and bring about resilient and sustainable solutions in the post-Covid world.

                            “Like every other country, Thailand has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, we successfully controlled the situation with the number of infected persons in only four digits and the number of the deceased less than 60. I would thus like to speak on:

                            “1. People centrality is the major pillar to handle this challenge as well as to create a new normal consistent with Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030, leaving no one behind.

                            “2. Effective medical system, strong public health sector, and competent healthcare professionals are the important contributing factors to Thailand’s success, in particular the support given by over one million health volunteers stationed in villages throughout the country to ensure the accessibility to public health of all people.”: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/...ernal_referral

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                            • Prayut at risk of becoming third PM axed by charter court

                              General Prayut Chan-o-cha has defied a demand by anti-government protesters for him to step down as prime minister. But he may lose his seat if the Constitutional Court finds him guilty of violating the supreme law next month.

                              The court is scheduled to rule on December 2 whether Prayut violated the Constitution by occupying an official Army residence after his mandatory retirement from the military more than six years ago.

                              The case was brought to court by House Speaker Chuan Leekpai at the request of opposition leader Sompong Amornwiwat.

                              General Prayut is accused of breaking the supreme law by staying on at the residence inside the First Infantry Battalion of Royal Guards on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road in Bangkok after leaving the Army in 2014.

                              Prayut served as commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army from October 1, 2010, until September 30, 2014. He had earlier seized power in a coup against the Pheu Thai-led government on May 22, 2014.

                              The opposition leader’s petition alleges the PM breached constitutional provisions that forbid a government minister from “receiving any special money or benefit from a government agency, state agency or state enterprise apart from that given by the government agency, state agency or state enterprise to other persons in the ordinary course of business”.

                              In so doing, the petition alleges, General Prayut also violated Section 160 of the Constitution which states: “A minister must not behave in ways that constitute a serious violation of or failure to comply with ethical standards.”

                              According to Section 170, a violation of Section 160 warrants termination of the culprit’s ministerial post.

                              In other words, General Prayut could lose his premiership if the Constitutional Court rules in favour of the opposition leader’s petition.

                              Since its establishment in 1997, the Constitutional Court has sent two prime ministers packing for violating the charter.

                              The first was Samak Sundaravej, prime minister for People Power Party affiliated with former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who had been ousted in a coup two years’ earlier.

                              In September 2008, the Constitutional Court found that Samak violated the constitutional provision prohibiting the prime minister from being an employee of any business or individual. Samak was found to have been hired by a television production house to host a TV cooking programme for a monthly salary of Bt80,000.

                              The court ruled that by allowing himself to be employed by the company, Samak acted in violation of the charter clause, which is aimed at preventing conflicts of interest among government ministers.

                              The verdict sparked controversy, with many legal experts claiming the court had misinterpreted the spirit of law.

                              Chulalongkorn University law expert Pornson Liengboonlertchai commented after the ruling that the constitutional provision was aimed at preventing conflicts of interest and abuse of power by government ministers.

                              However, he did not see how Samak’s stint as a TV host could result in him abusing his official post to benefit his employer.

                              “The Constitutional Court should review the Samak case’s verdict to determine the scope of the mistake, particularly regarding the constitutional interpretation,” Pornson wrote in a Prachatai article published on September 29, 2008.

                              “This verdict has been widely criticised and many people and academics do not accept it,” he added.

                              Former president of the Constitutional Court, Vasant Sroipisuthi, acknowledged in 2013 that “hurried” preparation of the written verdict in Samak’s case made it prone to error. But he later clarified that this did not mean the verdict was defective.

                              Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s first female prime minister and sister to Thaksin, was the second PM to be disqualified by the Constitutional Court.

                              In May 2014, the court ruled that Yingluck had violated the charter by transferring Thawil Pliensri from his post as National Security Council secretary-general in 2011.

                              “The prime minister’s status has ended. She can no longer stay in her position acting as caretaker prime minister,” the court said in a statement.

                              Yingluck was found to have abused her power as prime minister by moving Thawil to make way for her relative to be appointed as national police chief.

                              Thawil was moved from his post in September 2011, paving the way for then-police chief Wichean Potephosree to replace him. Priewpan Damapong – the brother of Thaksin’s ex-wife Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra succeeded Wichean as police chief.: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/prayut-...charter-court/

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                              • Prayut awaits charter court ruling on his living in army residence

                                Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha remains tight-lipped on the approaching ruling by the Constitutional Court on an opposition challenge to his continuing to live in an army house - a decision which could jeopardise his premiership.

                                The decision is scheduled for Dec 2, but the prime minister refuses to be drawn on the issue

                                "I am leaving that to the court," Gen Prayut said on Tuesday when asked about it.

                                The prime minister and his family reside in a house at the 1st Infantry Regiment, King's Guard, although he is no longer a member of the army's top brass, having retired after ending his career as army chief.

                                His use of the army residence was heavily criticised by the opposition bloc during the no-confidence debate in February. Pheu Thai Party leader Sompong Amornvivat later asked the court to rule on the constitutional legality of the prime minister continuing to stay there. He also has an official residence.

                                Pheu Thai's main point for the court to rule on is whether Gen Prayut has a conflict of interest in staying in an army house, having retired from the military in 2014 after leading the coup. The state still had to bear the cost of all his public utility bills.

                                After the court completed the inquiry process, it announced on Nov 4 that it would rule on the petition on Dec 2 as "the case has sufficient grounds for a ruling". (continues below)

                                Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha arrives at the podium for a press conference after a cabinet meeting at Government House on Tuesday. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)

                                Gen Prayut may be forced to step down from office if the court rules in favour of the opposition petition.

                                The army has argued that the designation of the house where the prime minister lives was changed from an army welfare residence to a guesthouse in 2012.

                                It cited safety reasons for the prime minister needing to live behind the army barracks.: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...army-residence

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