Statement by Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand
in the capacity as Chief Adviser of the
Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order

1. I wish to express appreciation to a number of States and International Organizations that have issued statements supporting Thailand in moving the democratic process forward by organizing the General Election which was held on 2 February 2014 with a voter turnout of 20.5 million people.

2. On 21 March 2014, the Constitutional Court ruled that the said General Election was null and void in favour of a petition submitted by the Office of the Ombudsman, which received a complaint by an academic on whether or not the elections were inconsistent with the Constitution. In this case, according to the provisions of the Constitution, the Office of the Ombudsman does not have the authority to pursue such actions. It has therefore acted beyond its authority in filing a petition to the Constitutional Court.

3. The Constitutional Court ruled that the said General Election was null and void because the elections did not take place on one day nationwide since there were no candidates in 28 constituencies in the southern provinces.In actual fact, the candidates were obstructed from registering by anti-government PDRC protesters and the regional Election Commissioners had closed the registration venues thereby preventing candidates from registering. Lawsuits are ongoing and arrest warrants have been issued against those who have obstructed the electoral process as well as against the concerned Election Commissioners.

4. I regret that the decision of the Constitutional Court has in effect infringed upon and undermined the basic human right of the 20 million voters who have turned out to exercise their right to vote under democratic rule in Thailand.

5. I therefore hope that friendly countries, particularly those with firm commitment to democratic principles and values, will closely monitor the democratic development in Thailand. In the event that democratic rule in Thailand is undermined and an unelected government comes to power by unconstitutional or undemocratic means, I also hope that friendly countries would denounce such actions and join in calling for justice and fairness to the Thai people who are committed to the democratic system. 

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