BANGKOK, March 6 — The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) which has seized admistrative power in Thailand last May 22 has no wish to stay in politics after a general election is held, probably early next year, said Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon on Friday.
Gen Prawit, also deputy chief of NCPO, said a proposal for members of the five core bodies including the NCPO, the cabinet, the National Legislative Assembly, the National Reform Council and the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) to stay away from politics for two years after they leave the office is sensible.
Gen Prawit’s comment followed remarks made by Jate Dhonavanik, a CDC member, on Wednesday that the CDC is considering imposing the two-year ban for members of the five bodies to stay away from politics after leaving the office.
Asked whether he is worried on talks that the Constitution being drafted is not democratic, Gen Prawit said the draft is still incomplete and upon completion it will have to be sent to NCPO and the cabinet for final consideration.
He said members of the five core bodies are scheduled to meet next Wednesday but there is no plan to discuss this issue.
Deputy Defence Minister/army chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr said in his capacity as NCPO secretary-general that members of the five bodies have “no intention to stay in power.”
Gen Udomdej added that the idea for members of the five bodies to vacate from politics two years is just “only a proposal and no conclusion has been made.”
Meanwhile Mr Jate told journalists before attending a CDC meeting that he stands firm on his proposal even the prime minister disagrees. (MCOT online news)
