Thailand's junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha warns against political forums

BANGKOK: Thailand's Prime Minister and junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha today said political forums will not be allowed to derail his reconciliation campaign, a day after a crackdown on a student forum on democracy.

"Please understand that I don't come from an election. I know that well. So please put on hold all political criticism and forums on politics," Gen Prayuth, who came to administrative power through a military coup on May 22, said.

Prayuth's remark came after a ban on a student-organised forum, "Democracy Classroom: Chapter 2 - The Decline of Dictatorships in Foreign Countries", at the local Thammasat University's Rangsit campus yesterday.

Police yesterday broke up the forum and took four speakers, including prominent social critic Nidhi Eoseewong, to police station before releasing them. Authorities did not press charges of defying martial law.

The tough-talking army chief said he did not want his plans to restore unity set back by critics, and accused the organisers of the forum of intentionally ignoring martial law, which bans political gatherings of more than five people, Bangkok Post reported.

"They held their forum without seeking permission," he said.

The Prime Minister said that forums were allowed after organisers sent an outline to authorities for approval first and topics for discussion must not be democracy, elections or criticism of the government.

While admitting he had obtained office by having seized power, Gen Prayut defended his position.

"Have I done anything to damage the country since I took power?" he said before walking away from reporters at Government House, the paper said.