Three days after Myanmar held the historic first session of an elected Parliament, pressure seems to be mounting on neighbouring Thailand’s military-backed Prime Minister Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, to bring back democracy to Thailand.
Road mapMr Chan-o-cha, who has been criticised for using his arbitrary powers too often since taking power in a coup in May 2014, on Wednesday announced the new “roadmap for democracy” as activists demanded more clarity on his plans.
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“Developments in Myanmar have sent a message to all countries in the region. There is a growing realisation that silencing of communities does not work. Thailand will have to become more inclusive and more open to debate to be democratic,” Abdul Hamid Siamwalla, veteran social activist, told The Hindu on Thursday.
Mr. Chan-o-cha’s government came to power in May 2014 after overthrowing the civilian government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Though the military government made pledges of returning power to an elected government soon after the coup, it has so far failed to come up with a draft Constitution.
The announcement of the “road map for democracy” has started a series of developments in Thailand as both the government and opposition forces led by the “Red Shirts” have begun devising their next political steps.
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On Thursday, the “Red Shirts” called upon the U.S. to ensure that the government of Mr Chan-o-cha stays on course of the “road map for democracy”.