Thai government denies state of emergency intensifies grip on power

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Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The Thai government does not maintain the imposition of the executive decree on public administration in emergency situations to intensify its power and the decree was exercised only to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said.



She responded to calls from many parties for the government to end the imposition of the emergency decree.

Ms Narumon said that the government through Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration was monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the country and was gradually relaxing disease control measures for business resumption but the present situation had not been promising enough for an immediate end to the emergency decree imposition.



There were still daily new cases of COVID-19 infection and the government wanted to the number of new cases to be contained first for the sake of public safety, she said.

“The government values all parties and is listening to the recommendations and proposals that are of public and national interest. But it is impossible to end the imposition of the emergency decree now. If the pandemic is better controlled and people remain cooperative, the government can do it sooner. However, all parties must seriously cooperate with the government’s efforts to curb COVID-19.

The government is not prolonging the exercise of the emergency decree to serve its own interest or to cling to power as many parties have accused. The government understands well that the country has economic problems. The government is solving it and helping all groups of people who are affected,” Ms Narumon said.

The spokesperson said all parties should understand the situation and their cooperation would allow the Thai economy to grow. If the disease control keeps improving, all businesses and activities can resume eventually, she said. (TNA)