February 20, 2014

At 13:00 hrs. Mr.Tharit Pengdit, Director-General, the Department of Special Investigations, briefed the press on the outcome of the meeting of the Center For Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) earlier in the day, gist as follows:

Following the ruling of the Civil Court on the Emergency Decree, the CMPO wished to inform the general public that one of the aims of invoking the Emergency Decree was to establish a special body such as the CMPO tasked with restoring peace and order. The CMPO is not the enemy of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC); its duty is to maintain democracy and enforce the law. Officials under the CMPO have successfully managed to restore the functions of 53 government agencies, proceed with legal action on 332 cases involving election obstruction, and issue arrest warrants against 118 persons.

The CMPO respects the Court's ruling but has a different opinion. The Court's ruling has limited the authority of the CMPO on 9 points concerning the resolution of the situation. From now on, the CMPO will not be able to carry out operations to prevent election obstruction or the blockading of government agency premises by the PDRC.

Although the Constitution Court had ruled that the demonstration led by the PDRC was without violence, it was only at the early stages. At the moment, the protest has escalated with several goals: overthrowing the government by violating laws and regulations, establishing an interim government without legal basis, forcing government officials to leave offices, hunting for the Prime Minister, and blocking traffic. In addition, the Criminal Court has approved the issuance of arrest warrants against many members of the PDRC. The CMPO will file an appeal to the Court as soon as possible. The CMPO is also concerned that officials will not be able to perform their duties which might lead to more conflict in society, as the PDRC will now be able to carry out any actions freely, including election obstruction and blocking traffic. The CMPO wished to express its regret at this situation.

At 13:30 hrs. Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung, Minister of Labour and the Director of the CMPO, briefed the press on the inquiry by the CMPO to the Civil Court for instructions, gist as follows:

Following the ruling of the Civil Court citing that the Emergency Decree can remain in effect but under 9 conditions that affect the performance of officials, the Director of the CMPO has issued a letter to the Court seeking instructions on 7 points:

1. As the protesters have occupied the Government House compound and built bunkers intended for countering the authorities, the CMPO wished to ask whether the police have the authority to arrest those protesters per the arrest warrants.

2. The protesters led by Mr.Thavorn Sennium have blockaded the Ministry of Interior and stolen M16 rifles from the Ministry's armory. These protesters fired at police negotiators. The CMPO wished to ask for instructions in this situation.

3. As the protesters have blocked several roads, the CMPO wished to ask whether these actions are considered nonviolent protest. Also, the CMPO wished to ask for instructions for the police.

4. If the protesters attempt to retake the Ministry of Energy, the CMPO wished to ask whether this would be considered nonviolent protest.

5. As members of the PDRC led by Luang Pu Buddha Issara have blockaded the Government Complex preventing officials from entering, the CMPO wished to ask whether this is considered peaceful protest under the Constitution.

6. As Mr.Suthep Thaugsuban has led the protesters to blockade the Office of the Defence Permanent-Secretary, including threatening the Prime Minister, the CMPO wished to ask whether this is considered nonviolent protest.

7. As the PDRC planned to blockade several areas and force government officials to leave their offices, the CMPO wished to ask whether this is considered a nonviolent protest.