At 13:00 hrs., the Center for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) informed the press on the outcome of the meeting of the CAPO earlier in the day, gist as follows:

1. The CAPO wished to reiterate the economic impacts caused by an extended period of the PDRC's protest. The political uncertainty has resulted in slow down of the Thai economy. The Moody Investor Service, a renown credit rating company, revealed in its latest report that the Constitutional Court's decision to nullify the 2 February general election has resulted in a negative credibility of Thailand. The Court ruling could also result in extended period of political stagnation and negative impact to theThai economy. The East Asia Economic Update 2014 report of the World Bank also revealed that the Thai economic growth will not exceed 3% this year, lowest amongst ASEAN member countries. The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) has also reduced the project growth of the Thai economy due to impact of political uncertainty.

The CAPO urged all parties concerned, especially judicial agencies to find resolution to this political situation as quickly as possible. The CAPO is of the view that the general election should be convened as soon as possible and urged the general public not to support any attempt to obstruct the election.

2. The CAPO wished to raise the issue of the freedom of public officials to participate in public gathering in such a way that does not affect government affairs, including though public administration and public service providing as prescribed in section 43, 81 and 82 of the 2007 Civil Servants Code of Conduct. The attempt by Mr. Suthep and the PDRC leaders to encourage public officials to support PDRC's core policy, including political reform prior to convening the general election is not appropriate.

During the PDRC's visit to the Ministry of Justice yesterday, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry had a personal welcoming and then discussed with Mr. Suthep and the PDRC's leaders. The CAPO wished to reprehend Ministry of Justice's Permanent Secretary to engage in such behavior. The Permanent Secretary, as commander of the Department of Special Investigation, should have report to the investigation officers in order to arrest Mr. Suthep and his team instead of having
a friendly welcome. In this regard, the CAPO will invite Permanent Secretaries of all ministries to attend the mandatory meeting on 17 April at 14.00 hrs, to discuss and have the same understanding of how to conduct on such event.