Gen Prayuth urges voters to back the 'good people' Lese majeste 'rampant', claims military leader

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has called on the electorate to turn out in force for the July 3 general election and vote "good people" into parliament to protect the monarchy and change the country for the better.

Gen Prayuth's comments were televised yesterday on Channel 7 and Channel 5, when he urged the public to exercise good judgement when voting.
His TV appearance was seen by the opposition as a move to stem the apparent rising popularity of the Pheu Thai Party and its top party list candidate, Yingluck Shinawatra.
He said the kingdom's 40 million eligible voters should come out in force to exercise their rights.

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"Voters should use their good judgement to choose the best candidates to run the country efficiently," he said.
"If you allow the election [results] to be the same as before, you will not get anything new and you will not see any improvement from this election."
Gen Prayuth said voters must not allow themselves to be blinded by the personalities involved and must not vote for politicians who violate morals or laws.
"The actions and remarks of some politicians are not proper," he said.
"Why vote for them? I want to ask you to vote for good people who are determined to work for the good of the country."
Gen Prayuth said there was an anti-monarchist undertone in certain campaigns, especially by groups of Thai people living overseas.
He said security organisations have found evidence of "rampant" lese majeste in some instances.

National army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha

Gen Prayuth said these overseas groups are linked with several other like-minded groups.
"We can't let them violate the law," he said.
"The people have to do their bit to help protect the monarchy.
"The military has to talk about this issue not because we are the only ones who are loyal [to the King].
"We have to safeguard the institution that has made such a contribution to the country."
Gen Prayuth continued: "His Majesty the King has worked for the good of the country for more than 60 years and has involved himself solely in his royal duty.
"Today His Majesty should be able to rest and be happy and see the country's progress."
Gen Prayuth said it was wrong to call for Section 112 of the Criminal Code, which governs lese majeste, to be revoked.
He insisted lese majeste charges would be brought against anyone who violates the law by insulting the monarchy
He also criticised elements of the mainstream media, such as terrestrial television and newspapers, and non-mainstream media such as cable and satellite TV and the internet, for helping to sow divisions in society.
National reconciliation and harmony will happen only after these media organisations stop taking sides in political disputes, Gen Prayuth said.
"Please don't think I'm showing my military power to threaten or exert heavy-handed measures to shut down media outlets," he said.
"Sometimes, criticism against the army by these media organisations is unfair," the army chief said.
"I'm speaking as a Thai citizen."
An army source said Gen Prayuth disagreed with a campaign by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to encourage voters to "vote no" in the election.
He thought this campaign is not the answer to the problems besetting the country, said the source.
The source said Gen Prayuth asked senior army officers who attended a morning meeting on Monday about the motive behind the "vote no" drive, as he did not understand why the yellow-shirt PAD would spearhead such a campaign.
But no one at the meeting answered his question, said the source.
Gen Prayuth told the meeting that the "vote no" campaign seemed to be aimed at giving a definitive voice to those who feel disenfranchised with the candidates presented to them, the source said.