Thai premier's absolute executive power can still be enforced: army chief

Thai army chief Gen. Chalermchai Sittisart said on Wednesday the absolute executive power of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha might still be enforced at any time until later this year.

The comments came followed persistent calls from the political sector that the premier stop using his absolute executive power now as the constitution has already been promulgated and a general election is bound to occur.

Speaking at the army headquarters, the army chief said possibilities of political and subversive unrests cannot be ruled out though the situation has largely remained under control of the government.

The premier might continue to use the absolute executive power under Article 44 of the constitution to cope with any situation, especially related to political affairs which might possibly arise at any time, the army chief said.

Importantly, he said, the premier's absolute power could be immediately enforced to assure public peace and order during two historic events of the country to be held later this year.

The two events are the cremation ceremony for the late His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej scheduled for October and the coronation ceremony for His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn which is yet to follow at a later date.

Prayut earlier confirmed that the government would follow the roadmap of the National Council for Peace. Endit