APSN | Exiled Thai minister forms anti-coup group

Home > South-East Asia >> Thailand

Exiled Thai minister forms anti-coup group

BBC News - June 24, 2014

Rights group to Thai junta: release activist – Associated Press. June 24, 2014
The June 1932 revolution – Red Thai Socialist. June 23, 2014
Thailand's war-weary southerners fear coup will erode new freedoms – Reuters. June 18, 2014
Cambodians flee Thailand as junta targets illegal labor – Reuters. June 16, 2014
Thai military promises government by August as a nationwide curfew is lifted – Reuters. June 14, 2014

An exiled Thai minister has formed a group to lead a campaign against the military government, which seized power in last month's coup.

Charupong Reuangsuwan is the only minister to have escaped into exile. He called the coup, which followed months of anti-government protests, "an outrageous act" and "grand larceny".

The Organisation of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy (Seri Thai) aims to "restore and strengthen" Thai democracy.

In a statement addressed to Thai citizens and e-mailed to journalists, he said: "It is now tragically evident that Thailand has returned, once again, to a vicious cycle of absolute dictatorial governance."

He accused the junta of stealing the people's sovereignty by seizing power from the elected civilian government, which was run by Mr Charupong's Puea Thai party.

The military leadership has pledged to return to democracy, but only after it has carried out sweeping reforms of the political system. Mr Charupong, however, accused the military of intending to create "a new puppet structure" for "anti-democratic elements".

His group has set up a YouTube channel and posted videos of the statement read out in Thai by Mr Charupong, and read out in English by activist Jakrapob Penkair. It is not yet clear from which country the new organisation will operate.

In response, Acting Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told journalists there was "only one legitimate government".

'Credible roadmap'

The military seized power on 22 May, after six months of anti-government protests that left at least 28 dead and hundreds hurt. It said its aim was to restore stability to Thailand.

The protesters alleged that the ousted government of Yingluck Shinawatra was controlled by her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra. He was Thai prime minister until his removal by the military in 2006.

The current political turmoil dates from then. There is strong support for the Shinawatra family in rural and northern areas, propelling them to successive election wins.

However, many in the middle class and urban elite oppose them bitterly, alleging they have corrupted Thai democracy with money politics.

Meanwhile, the European Union's foreign affairs council on Monday said it would suspend official visits to and from Thailand. It said EU states would not sign a partnership and co-operation agreement with Thailand until a democratically-elected government was in place. Military co-operation with Thailand will also be reviewed.

"Only an early and credible roadmap for a return to constitutional rule and the holding of credible and inclusive elections will allow for the EU's continued support," said the council, adding that the military's current plan for reform "falls short".

It also urged the military to restore democratic institutions and processes, free political detainees, refrain from further arrests for political reasons, and remove censorship.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27991023.