National Council for Peace and Order

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The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO; Thai: คณะรักษาความสงบแห่งชาติ; rtgs: Khana Raksa Khwam Sa-ngop Haeng Chat; or คสช) is the junta ruling Thailand, following the 2014 Thai coup d'état.^[1] On 20 May 2014, the military declared martial law nationwide in another attempt to stop the country's escalating political crisis.^[2] On 22 May, the military deposed the government and formed the NCPO to rule the country. The junta censored the broadcasting system in Thailand, repealed the constitution, and arrested members of the Thai cabinet.^[3]

Name

The original English name of the junta was "National Peace and Order Maintaining Council" or "NPOMC".^[4] The name was later changed to "National Council for Peace and Order" or "NCPO" on 24 May 2014.^[5]

Membership and authority

Prayut Chan-o-cha, Leader of the coup and NCPO

On 22 May 2014, the NCPO announced its composition^[6] and stated that its leader will exercise all powers and duties which the laws invest in the prime minister and the cabinet, until there is a prime minister.^[7][8]

The following day, it announced that the determination of the short- and long-term policies on national administration is the power of its leader. It also assigned its members to the government ministries and equivalent agencies.^[9]

On 24 May 2014, the NCPO dissolved the Senate and vested the legislative power in its leader.^[10] It also ordered the judicial branch to operate under its directives.^[11] Later that day, it transferred Police General Adul Saengsingkaew, who was the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police and also its deputy leader, to an inactive post in the Office of the Prime Minister.^[10] Adul was replaced by Police General Watcharapol Prasarnrajkit.^[12]

On 26 May, King Bhumibol Adulyadej endorsed the coup, formally appointing General Prayuth to "take charge of public administration" as from 24 May.^[13][14] The royal endorsement is seen as key to legitimising the coup.^[14]

Board of Consultants

On 26 May 2014, the NCPO announced its Board of Consultants:

Political motivations and objectives

The stated objective of the coup and NCPO is to restore order to Thailand and to enact political reforms.^[15]

Since taking over the NCPO has made full use of martial law to prosecute opponents, ban political activity, and censor the media. More than 1,000 people, including academics, political bloggers, activists and politicians, have been detained or sent for "attitude adjustment" at military installations. There are allegations of torture. Prosecutions under the country’s strict lèse majesté laws, which protect the monarchy from insult, have risen sharply.^[16] In its annual report in January, Human Rights Watch said military rule had sent human rights in Thailand into "a freefall".^[17]

Decisions and future

The NCPO repealed the 2007 Constitution, save the second chapter which deals with the King. In addition, it formally ordered the dissolution of the caretaker government, while the Senate is dissolved on order of the NCPO. Other state agencies, including the courts and the independent organs, remain operative.^[18]

Furthermore, the NCPO imposed a curfew throughout the country, ordering the people to stay indoors from 22:00 to 05:00 hours.^[19] It laid down a ban on political gatherings and directed all protesters to disperse.^[6] It also ordered all educational institutes, both public and private, to close from 23 to 25 May 2014.^[20]

Compensation

On 2 August 2014, a law was issued to determine monthly salaries and other monetary benefits for the NCPO members. General Prayuth is granted a total of THB 125,590 per month, whilst each of the other NCPO members is given a total of THB 119,920 per month. These benefits are paid in addition to the benefits they are already entitled to by virtue of their posts in the armed forces.^[21]

Domestic and international reactions to the NCPO

Immediately after the coup was announced, the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters who were at their sites expressed their applause for the action.^[22] Phra Buddha Issara, a Buddhist monk who is a PDRC co-leader, went on a stage and proclaimed the victory of the anti-government protesters before requesting his protesters to go home.^[23] Some of the pro-government protesters dispersed at the behest of the military, while the others refused to leave.^[22] The NCPO provided seventy military cars to send the protesters from both sides home.^[24]

•  Canada - Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird condemned the coup and said: "This decision violates Thailand's democratic principles and stands in stark contrast to the Army's earlier assurances that its role would be limited to securing public order. We hope and expect the Thai military will return Thailand to civilian rule as soon as possible, respect democratic processes and the rule of law, ensure freedom of expression and assembly, and guarantee due process for those who have been detained."^[25]

•  EU – The European External Action Service called for the military to accept and respect the constitutional authority of the civilian power and stressed in regards with the legitimate democratic process "the importance of holding credible and inclusive elections as soon as feasible".^[26]

•  France – President François Hollande condemned the coup and called for "an immediate return to the constitutional order and for a vote to be organised".^[27]

•  UN — Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations issued a statement through his spokesman, expressing serious concern over the coup, calling for "a prompt return to constitutional, civilian, democratic rule" and movement towards cooperation between the parties.^[28]

•  USA – Secretary of State John Kerry strongly condemned the coup and said that "this act will have negative implications for the U.S.–Thai relationship, especially for our relationship with the Thai military".^[29]

•  UK — Britain expressed concern over the coup, however they did not go as far as to condemn it. The British Foreign Office urged British travelers to follow travel advice, and stated that, "We are concerned at the announcement of a military coup in Thailand and are following developments closely. We urge all sides to put aside their differences, and adhere to the values of democracy and the rule of law. This is clearly in the interests of the people of Thailand." They also added,"ongoing political instability and the continued violence undermine Thailand's democratic framework."^[30]

See also

• 2013–14 Thai political crisis
• 2014 Thai coup d'état
• 2014 interim constitution of Thailand

References

External links

Wikisource has original text related to this article: Proclamation on Appointment of Leader of the National Council for Peace and Order

• National Council for Peace and Order on Facebook
• National Council for Peace and Order on Twitter

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