Won’t lift the ban. Might amend it – PM Prayut

PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha has dismissed a concerted call by major political parties to lift a controversial junta order that prevents political activities.

He said the directive “may be amended on certain issues” in order to help get rid of “administrative problems” raised by the various existing and new parties.

Prayut, in his capacity as head of the National Council for Peace and Order, issued NCPO Order No 53/2560 last December. The directive allows certain political activities required by the new Political Party Act, while maintaining the junta ban on most other political activities. It permits political parties to manage the confirmation of current party members, collect membership fees and find new members.

But party meetings still require permission from the NCPO.

Prayut said his government and the NCPO would determine what amendments would be made to the directive. He noted that the Council of State, which is the government’s legal advisory agency, discussed the matter with the Election Commission and the Constitution Drafting Commission.

These bodies would later suggest to the NCPO how to amend the original order.

“Most of the restrictive points involve administrative matters. The government and the NCPO will see how the issues can be fixed,” Prayut said