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อ่านฉบับภาษาไทย https://www.thaigov.go.th/news/contents/details/21600

อ่านฉบับภาษาอังกฤษ https://www.thaigov.go.th/news/contents/details/21601

Message from the National Council for Peace and Order and Cabinet on the Occasion of the Completion of their Term.

Respected members of the public,

I was granted His Majesty the King’s formal approval to assume the office of Prime Minister on 9 June 2019 and His Majesty subsequently approved the appointment of the Cabinet on 10 July 2019, for which we are deeply grateful.

His Majesty will grant a royal audience to the Cabinet to be sworn in as the first Cabinet following the general elections as per article 161 of the Kingdom’s constitution tomorrow, on the 16 July 2019. Although this enables us to begin our duties, we are not yet able to govern the country in various spheres to our fullest mandate until the Prime Minister delivers his policy statement to Parliament. It is expected that all procedures will be completed by July. From then onwards, we will tackle the key challenges facing the country, such as core economic issues, the price of products and agricultural produce, social problems, issues concerning standards of living, state welfare, the development of people’s quality of life, problems related to governance, the protection of lives and property, the issuing of relevant laws and expediting the disbursement of the 2020 Budget, which all members of the public from every income level and region of the country are eagerly anticipating. These measures will be accelerated and implemented continuously in line with the Constitution, the National Strategy and the Government’s Policy Statement addressed to Parliament.

Respected members of the public,

The Constitution dictates that once a new Cabinet has been granted a royal audience to be sworn into office, the term of the cabinet which preceded it and that of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) will come to an end. Therefore, the NCPO and the cabinet will complete their term and relinquish their duties tomorrow. As the head of the NCPO and the Prime Minister of this government on its last day, I wish to take this opportunity to bid you farewell and to thank all Thai citizens, especially the Cabinet, officials of the NCPO, those holding political office, civil servants, the army and the police as well as members of the National Legislative Assembly, the National Reform Committee, members of the National Reform Steering Committee and the Constitution Drafting Committee, which had accomplished its task prior to elections. I also wish to thank members of the public, the private sector, civil society, the academic sector and local groups for their close cooperation with the NCPO. During this period, many objectives were achieved by you in your own capacity voluntarily and in accordance with the law, while many other issues were pursued alongside the Government, which acted as co-investor or under the “Pracharat” (Public-Private Partnership) model. Therefore, there has been success in advancing peace and harmony, the development of the country and the resolution of various problems. Such progress in the past five years includes maintaining law and order, upgrading the competitiveness of the country, sustainable development for people of all income brackets and professions, boosting confidence from abroad in our international commitments and foreign investment, solving long pending problems, tackling corruption and malfeasance, the consideration of suspended legal cases with due judicial process, issuing laws to handle compounding problems and to pave the way for a sustainable future, and setting the direction for reform through a national strategy. All this is the product of your hard work, dedication, discipline and cooperation, both physical and moral, in the past five years. We have overcome a moment of crisis where there was violence, conflict and opposing views with great obstacles in the management of the country, including the implementation of the budget, due to legal and regulatory gridlocks. Our crisis was such that, 6 – 7 years ago, we were perceived as a state on the brink of collapse. We have proven that with determination and strength of will, we can revive our integrity and prestige, law and order and other strong points our nation is famed for. This includes recuperating our appeal as a competitive nation, an investment hub and top tourist destination. We have also received international recognition for our work in many fields, such as the ease of doing business, transparency, competitiveness, civil aviation, combatting human trafficking, foreign labour and fisheries.

Our display of compassion, humanity, thoughtfulness and unity in the search and rescue mission of the Wild Boar Football Academy in Chiang Rai last year created a lasting impression on the world. Most recently, as the Chair of the 34th ASEAN Summit, we were commended by the international community for our smooth and impressive organisation and for ensuring the meeting met all of its objectives.

And so now, I would like to request all members of the public to ask themselves how the situation on the country has improved. If you do notice an improvement, then you should be proud of the results which are the fruits of the determination and cooperation of all under the guidance of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great and our current King. Goals that have not yet been achieved must now be actively pursued under this government with a sense of unity amongst countrymen.

In the past five years, we have clearly shown to the world the strength of our unity and the unique beauty of our culture. When our country had to face a momentous loss with the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great, although the public were still grieving, we were able to gather together on account of our loyalty to His Majesty the Late King and to organise alongside the government the Royal Cremation Ceremony in a remarkable. We came together again, with the government’s cooperation, to mark another historical event, the coronation of His Majesty the King, which was a splendid ceremony befitting His Majesty’s rank. These two events of the past five years will never fade from the memory of the people of Thailand and beyond.

Respected members of the public,

Thailand is now fully governed as a democratic country with a constitutional monarch possessing a parliament that is elected and a government endorsed by parliament. Several rights and liberties are safeguarded by the constitution in line with the highest international norms and pending problems will be solved through democratic processes without the application of any special powers. Although this form of governance might move at a pace unsuited to certain groups in society and might confront obstacles in the form of legal, political and budgetary limitations as well as differing viewpoints, it will conform to the democratic process. Under such a system, all individuals from all sides have to reach a better understanding of one another for peaceful, tolerant and balanced co-existence that is free from conflict and operates on the basis of reason, discipline and a respect for the democratic majority. Moreover, we must uphold good governance and the rule of law alongside a respect for our culture, customs and traditional way of life. As I have already informed you, the governance of the country can only thrive through the coordination of three key pillars, namely the political sphere, the civil service and the public, all of which have to cooperate seamlessly, in thought and deed. What the government and the National Legislative Assembly have jointly implemented in the past 5 years should act as a foundation for the new government, which will be His Majesty the King’s government and the government of all Thai people, undivided by region, province or electoral groupings. We have to proceed with a firm footing to create prosperity and sustainable well-being. However, if a measure, project or law is no longer the wish of the public or ceases to meet the demands of the current situation, then it can be amended or repealed since it is in the nature of things that whatever arises must also one day perish. Yet the country, which is where our hearts and home and those of future generations reside, must persist. All of us have a duty to follow His Majesty the King’s wish to advance, conserve, maintain and protect Thailand for our greater good and benefit through unity, sharing, a strong conscience, a sense of responsibility and respect for the law. We are united in the single goal of promoting the good of our nation, religion, monarchy and public, which are forever dear to us.

I hope that you will accept with an open heart the thanks and good wishes of the NCPO and the Cabinet once again.

Finally, I would like to ask the people of Thailand and all government officials to fully cooperate with the new government and legislative branch in maintaining and preserving the democratic system with our monarch as the head of state and the peace and order of society as well as the Thai way of life and culture. May we also foster love, unity, conciliation and respect for the prosperity, security and sustainability of our country for generations to come.

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