Prime Minister Yingluck
Shinawatra on 9 December 2013 in the morning appeared on television and
delivered a statement on the dissolution of the House of Representatives.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announces the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Photo: Bangkok Post.
In her statement, the Prime
Minister said, “[I,] Miss Yingluck Shinawatra, Prime Minister, would like to
inform fellow citizens that following discussions and listening to opinions
from all sectors, I have decided to present a draft Royal Decree to dissolve
the House of Representatives B.E. 2556 (2013) to His Majesty the King for Royal
Assent, for the following reasons:
“1. Dissolution of the
House of Representatives is a normal process in the system of parliamentary
democracy, as is evident in many countries using this system. Thailand has
always adhered to this customary practice, as evidenced by the fact that all
constitutions of the Kingdom of Thailand have provided for the dissolution of
the House of Representatives and the House of Representatives has been
dissolved many times, such as in B.E. 2539 (1996), B.E. 2543 (2000), B.E. 2549 (2006),
and B.E. 2554 (2011).
“2. The Government took
office to administer the country from 23 August B.E. 2554 (2011) with the
important tasks of solving numerous internal crises, be it the great flood or
the impact from the crisis of global economic turbulence, as well as the
revival of democracy in the country, trying to build reconciliation and
restoring international relations to ensure confidence in the democratic system
with the King as Head of State. The Government has acted to the best of its ability
and successfully resolved various problems.
“However, with regard to
the political conflict, this still persists and even though the Government has
tried to build understanding, whether by proposing approaches to amend the
Constitution, opening a forum on political reform, or holding a referendum,
there are still those who hold different views and object. The Government
stands ready to listen if such objections are in line with parliamentary
democracy. But it appears that a number of objectors, including members of the
opposition party, have chosen an approach of protesting outside the
parliamentary framework. The Government has handled the protests leniently and
with a conciliatory position, which respects the basic right to freedom of
expression at all times in order to preserve the Constitution of the Kingdom
of“Thailand, because the Government does not want further losses for the
country and the people as Thailand has already suffered enough.
“But in today’s situation,
the Government has considered the differing viewpoints, with each side claiming
to represent a large number of the people. Therefore, the Government is of the
view that under a democratic system, if a point is reached where conflicting
ideas may lead to divisions among the nation’s people, and violence which may
lead to losses, returning power to the people so that they can decide, through
dissolution of parliament and holding new elections, is an approach that is in
accordance with the system of democracy with the King as Head of State, and one
that is acceptable to the international community. The people can determine
which approach the majority wants and who will administer the country under
that approach.
“The Government would like
to invite all groups and political parties who hold many different opinions to
use the electoral process under the democratic system to present various
options to the Thai people in the whole country.
“3. Once the House of
Representatives is dissolved, the entire Cabinet shall also vacate office,
according to Section 180 (2). However, the Cabinet must remain in office to
carry out duties until a newly established Cabinet assumes office in accordance
with Section 181, which stipulates that the Cabinet and Ministers shall perform
only such duties as are necessary under the conditions prescribed by that
Section.
“4. The Government asks the
people to attach importance to the upcoming elections. The Government will hold
consultations with the Election Commission on setting the election date as soon
as possible. The Government also wishes to ask the Thai people to perform their
duties and exercise their right to vote concertedly, heedfully and prudently in
order for this election to be as honest and fair as possible. This would be a
peaceful expression of political will in accordance with the Constitution and
the democratic system of government.”
(thailand.prd.go.th)