Government Encourages Civil Dialogue Amid Protest Threats
The government is downplaying the potential for street protests against its policies, emphasizing its commitment to not yielding to pressure from any organization. Somkid Chueakong, the Prime Minister’s deputy secretary-general for political affairs, conveyed that there is no imminent necessity for the government to prepare for anti-government demonstrations.
“This administration is attuned to the needs of the public. We will not stifle freedom of expression,” stated Somkid, inviting dissenters to formally present their grievances through petitions.
“We advocate for discussing our issues in a constructive and rational way. We are not anxious about protests and thus, we are not taking any special precautions,” he added.
His remarks come in response to declarations from various political figures regarding potential mass protests against the current administration led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra. These figures include Sondhi Limthongkul, a former leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and Jatuporn Prompan, who previously headed the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
Sondhi, known for his previous opposition to Thaksin Shinawatra’s government, indicated in a recent program that he might initiate a mass protest if he discovers any wrongdoing related to the current administration, particularly concerning contentious areas between Thailand and Cambodia. He plans to evaluate the situation within the first quarter of next year.
Reacting to the threats, Paetongtarn requested that Sondhi engage in discussions with the government before resorting to protests. Somkid emphasized that the government is willing to engage in dialogue.
Additionally, Somkid addressed Jatuporn’s criticisms regarding the government’s plan to allow 99-year land leases to foreign entities, which has been labeled as “selling off the nation.” He clarified, “There is no definitive plan—this is merely a conceptual discussion.” Under the proposed structure, landowners would need to transfer title deeds to the Treasury Department for oversight.
Lavaron Sangsnit, permanent secretary for the Finance Ministry, noted that significant legal adjustments would be necessary for this plan to be realized, including changes to regulations limiting land leases to 30 years.
At a recent forum, coinciding with his 59th birthday, Jatuporn criticized various government initiatives, including major infrastructure projects and potential land lease modifications. He emphasized, “The government’s policies are what could spur public demonstrations, not individuals.” Jatuporn vowed to oppose any initiatives that could undermine national interests.
In contrast, Phayap Pankate, a former member of parliament and UDD co-leader, suggested that the public has grown weary of protests. He urged protest leaders to empathize with the citizens and allow the government time to address pressing economic challenges.
