Fortsatt rätt mycket besk kritik mot juntans nya åtgärder för att begränsa yttrandefriheten genom lagstiftning och andra åtgärder via statliga bolagen CAT och TOT för att kunna åstadkomma den "single gateway" de vill ha, men som de vägra erkänna att de inför steg för steg.
Dagens ledare i Bkk Post beskriver dilemmat av att ha en diktatorisk regering som säger sig vilja "return democracy to the people, samtidigt som man stiftar lagar som kommer att gälla långsiktigt och som knappast kan beskrivas som demokratiska.
Prayuths oförmåga att hantera kritik berörs:
"The premier has turned this law into a controversy. Instead of consulting the country, he has reinforced -- again -- the claim that the military regime considers legitimate criticism as scurrilous attacks.
Prime Minister Prayut has both plans and policies to develop the country. But his damaging new revisions to an already flawed computer law illustrate its shortcomings. By refusing to acknowledge the serious problems with the new legislation, the premier is once again rejecting the public's voice. Critics of the bill are not enemies of the country or the military regime. He just seems to be treating them that way.
On Friday, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called on Gen Prayut to be more mindful of constructive criticism. He is correct. No less than Gen Prayut, Thais demand updated laws to deal with digital crimes. But most want something better than the CCA 16. He said Gen Prayut takes both criticism and helpful suggestions as proof of political obstruction.
This has defined almost all government actions since the coup. With new laws and reforms alike, the regime has almost always ignored expert opinion. This is not encouraging for a junta that has set out a roadmap to return the country to democratic and constitutional rule."
http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1168377/pm-silences-the-nation
