- Unofficial Translation of Statement -

Delivered by H.E. Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs

In his capacity as Chairman of the Committee on Strategic Planning

and Coordination

of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO)

On Thursday 26 December 2013 at 09:30 hrs.

 

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Dear respected fellow citizens,

Currently, there is a group of protesters attempting to besiege and obstruct the acceptance of applications of party-list members of the House of Representatives at the Thai-Japanese Stadium, Din Daeng. Even though the rally led by Mr. Suthep was called off last Tuesday evening, the protesters returned to the site yesterday, used a truck to crash the main entrance gate of the stadium, entered the stadium, and attempted to trespass into the building where the applications were being accepted. It is evident that the protesters are not assembled in a peaceful and nonviolent manner as Mr. Suthep and the protest leaders have claimed all along. This is an assembly that involves trespassing, intimidation, and vandalism of government property, which is yet another repetition of unlawful actions and obstruction of the election procedure by the Election Commission.

 

Today is the day that the Election Commission has scheduled for all political parties to come at 09:00 hrs. to the Thai-Japanese Stadium Din Daeng to draw their numbers which will be used in the elections. The police officers, therefore, have an obligation to protect the applicants and secure the government premises in order for the Election Commission to proceed with their task. These measures are in line with the duties assigned and must follow necessary steps to prevent protesters from obstructing the election application process which is an unlawful act no longer respecting the law of the land. Therefore, the police, as law enforcement officers, are obligated to perform their duty and protect government property from vandalism and violation of the individual rights of the candidates for members of the House of Representative. The police officers are required to carry out their duties strictly while exercising leniency and utmost patience and restraint as well as upholding universally accepted principles and standard operating procedures.

 

I therefore wish to inform all fellow citizens that so far the police officers have exercised utmost patience and restraint because they understand the feelings of the people expressing their rights. Nonetheless, our country needs to have laws for the Thai people to respect and abide by. All Thais must respect the rights of each other as prescribed in article 4 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand.

 

Thank you.

 

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