Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Myanmar Government: Ousted Thai premier Yingluck must respect ‘rule of law’

Deputy Information Minister U Ye Htut  says Thailand’s former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra must respect the decision of a Constitutional Court that dismissed her for abuse of power on May 7, shortly before she was due to travel to Myanmar for the ASEAN Summit.


“That is rule of law. You have to follow the court’s decision finally even if you don’t like it,” Deputy Information Minister U Ye Htut, a spokesperson for President U Thein Sein, said in a post on Facebook following the decision.

U Ye Htut, who regularly uses the social media site to convey the views of the government, did not respond to request for further comment.

The Constitutional Court ruled that Ms Shinawatra acted illegally when transferring National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri in 2011. Nine ministers who were also linked to the transfer were stripped of their positions.

Deputy Premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan was appointed Ms Shinawatra’s replacement.
Among those found guilty was Minister of Foreign Affairs Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who, along with Ms Shinawatra, was scheduled to attend the ASEAN Summit in Nay Pyi Taw this weekend. It is now unclear who will represent Thailand at the summit, which will take place on May 10-11.

Mr Tovichakchaikul was also unable to attend the January ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Bagan due to unrest in Thailand.

Speaking to reporter s at the retreat, U Ye Htut said that the Myanmar government would not comment on the issues in Thailand, citing ASEAN’s position on non-interference in the internal affairs of other member nations. He did say, however, that he hoped problems could be resolved through “peaceful discussions”.