Thai PM Prayut to give assurances to international community at UNGA
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will seek to give assurances to the international community when he makes his debut at the United Nations General Assembly this week.
BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha will have his work cut out for him this week in New York when he addresses the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). It will be his first visit to the UNGA since taking power in 2014 in a bloodless coup where he took power from the ruling Pheu Thai government.
On Mr Prayut’s agenda is convincing world leaders that his government is tackling human trafficking and returning democracy to the Thai people. But he is expected to face some tough questions, particularly those concerning the repression of human rights as well as on elections in Thailand, which have been delayed several times
“These issues will come up for sure,” said Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, Thai government spokesman. “We have a very clear-cut road map and policy; we can explain everything and keep the international community informed.”
Thailand is also eyeing a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Of the 10 seats, only five nations from Africa and the Asia-Pacific will be selected in 2017. And a part of the Thai government’s strategy is to ask critics to review the situation in Thailand more contextually and broadly
Mr Prayut and the military government have been able to keep criticism in check, forbidding political rallies and inviting the opposition to take part in "attitude adjustment" sessions. But in New York, Mr Prayut will be forced to take this criticism head on.
Human rights organisations are already applying pressure, urging world leaders to take the opportunity to condemn Thailand’s actions. Mr Prayut also faces a second front of assault. Members of the Thai diaspora have openly opposed the military coup and are planning to turn up in New York to challenge him.
“Prayut’s appearance in the motherland of democracy will be very interesting,” said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Associate Professor at Kyoto University and Distinguished Fellow at Stanford University. “Many pro-democracy Thais who live in the US will come out and use this platform to point to some of the things that have gone badly wrong in Thailand.”
The protesters are hoping to bring the situation in Thailand back in the spotlight by challenging Mr Prayut on a global platform. But the government has said that while it understands their right to disagree, they should not try to humiliate the country or break the law.