Ditch democracy, says Thailand's military ruler

The head of Thailand's ruling junta has instructed a new constitution-writing committee to stress stability over democracy and civil rights.

"Don't rely on the principles of democracy or 'unlimited liberties' as the basis" of the new charter, said retired army general Prayut Chan-o-cha, who took control of the government by arms in May, 2014. He has promised to "try" to return power to an elected government by late 2017.

It was unclear why General Prayut made the special, previously unscheduled "Message to the People" on national TV and radio. Last week, he appointed a 21-member Constitution Drafting Committee to make a second effort at writing Thailand's 21st constitution in 83 years.

Prayut's open disdain for democracy and civil rights is certain to spark strong resistance among many Thais. Diplomatic and trade partners, particularly in the west but including close neighbours, also are likely to express strong concern about the junta leader's direction.

Military coups and intervention have abrogated all previous constitutions. The country is currently operating under an all-powerful junta led by Prayut, under a makeshift supreme law which grants all powers to make and enforce laws to his junta, formally called the National Council for Peace and Order.

According to Prayut's speech, he wants the next constitution to attempt to centralize power, while making it unnecessary for the military to intervene.

"We hope that the military coup on May 22, 2014 will be the last," he claimed. In order to do that, he said, it is necessary to bypass democracy, which until now has always been the goal in Thailand since "young Turks" overthrew the old system of absolute monarchy.

Since 1973, despite periodic military intervention, Thailand has been been directed by elected governments. In the past decade, however, the country has split into two political camps, with bitter fighting and massive, rolling protests on the streets, particularly in Bangkok.

They are the red shirts -- pro-democracy forces seen as loyal to the "rural awakening" led in 2001 by the highly controversial Thaksin Shinawatra, now in exile -- and the conservative old guard, including the army and Bangkok's rich and often royalty-connected Bangkokians. The latter often are called yellow shirts for their outward and aggressive loyalty to the country's king and royal family.