A Thai senator has alleged that there is a conspiracy involving members of Thai non-governmental organizations behind a draft resolution in the US Senate calling for an abrogation of Article 112 and opposing possible military intervention in Thailand’s politics.
The draft resolution, submitted recently to the US Senate on Foreign Relations, states that “direct or indirect military or royal intervention” would undermine US-Thai relations and endanger US economic and security assistance to Thailand.
The draft, co-sponsored by US Democrat senators Edward J. Markey and Dick Durbin, calls on Thailand to protect and uphold democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, and freedom of expression.
It also urges the Thai government to create conditions for credible and fair elections while enabling media, journalists, and members of civil society to exercise freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association, without repercussion and fear of prosecution.
While urging the Thai government to immediately and unconditionally release and drop charges against political activists, it also calls for an abrogation of what it describes as “Thailand’s overbroad and vague lese majeste law” and the Computer-Related Crime Act.
The draft warns of consequences in the event of undemocratic intervention either before or after the election.
“Direct or indirect military or royal intervention before, during, or after the general election would profoundly undermine bilateral relations between the United States and Thailand and endanger economic and security assistance to Thailand and regional and economic cooperation,” it said.
Senator Somchai Sawangkarn, a staunch royalist, pointed his finger at some Thai non-governmental organizations funded by, the National Endowment for Democracy, a US grant-making foundation promoting democracy abroad, for allegedly conspiring with American politicians and officials to undermine Thailand’s political stability and sow discord among Thai people.
Somchai last week raised his concerns with US Ambassador Robert Godec during a meeting with members of Thailand’s Senate committees on foreign affairs and human rights.
“I informed the ambassador of the real situation in Thailand which is far different from what these people have said,” Somchai told Thai PBS World.
Somchai also described the draft resolution, which is not legally binding, as an interference in Thailand’s domestic affairs.
He linked the draft resolution to a recent visit by members of Thai non-governmental organizations to Washington DC during which he said they provided their American counterparts with misinformation about Thailand’s political situation.
Speaking to Thai PBS World, Yingcheep Atchanont, the executive director of iLaw, a non-governmental organization campaign on rights issues, denied his association with the US senators and their draft resolution.
The Voice of America (VOA) reported that Yingcheep and another Thai human rights activist visited Washington DC in March and met with officials of the State Department as well as members of the House and Senate committees on foreign affairs during which they expressed concerns that the upcoming general election in Thailand might not be free and fair.
“The US senators know what they are doing. How could I have influence over them?” Yingcheep said.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the US Embassy Nicole Fox said the draft resolution was submitted by senators whose role is separated from the executive branch which directs the work of the State Department and the US embassies.
“As such the draft resolution does not necessarily reflect the views of the executive branch or those of other parts of the US government,” she said.
She said during the meeting with Somchai, the ambassador emphasized the US deep respect for Thailand’s sovereignty “including our understanding and respect for the role of the monarchy.”
