After the Thai junta leader enacted an order not to try civilians in the military courts, the Deputy junta head said that the order could be nullified if ‘instability’ returns.
Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the Deputy junta head and Defence Minister, on 13 September 2016, said that Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the junta leader and Prime Minister, is committed to democratic system of governance in authorising the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) Head’s Order No. 55/2016.
The order states that all cases related to crimes against national security under Articles 107 to 118 of the Criminal Code and some other NCPO orders and announcements, will no longer be tried by military courts.
The junta leader invoked authorities under Section 44 of the Interim Constitution, which grants the junta absolute power, to enact the order.
However, Prawit told media that if ‘control’ slips out of the NCPO’s hands and ‘instability’ returns, the regime could nullify the order at any time.
The Defence minister added that the regime still has Section 44 of the Interim Constitution to handle ‘conflicts’.
Visanu Krua-Ngam, Deputy Prime Minister, told media that the order is not retroactive. Therefore, cases which are currently handled by military courts will not be transferred to the Court of Justice.
He added crimes related to national security in the restive Deep South will still be tried by military courts as the Martial Law which has been imposed in the region for more than a decade is still in place.