Srisuwan Janya, secretary of the Association to Protect the Constitution, said on Wednesday that Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin’s justification for the extension of the State of Emergency (SOE) is problematic.
Dr Taweesin, a spokesperson for the Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA), said on Tuesday that the SOE allowed the integration of more than 40 laws between different ministries.
However, Srisuwan said that the extension of the SOE aims to control the people rather than control the spread of COVID-19.
“If we stop using the [SOE], Thailand has the Disease Control Act and other laws that are able to be used along with the [Act],” Srisuwan added.
He continued to claim that the SOE was being abused by government officials.
According to Srisuwan, regulations within the Disease Control Act could be used instead of the SOE. Section 34 allows for a curfew to be implemented alongside the prohibition of mass gatherings. Section 39-43 also restricts people from entering the country.
The State Administration Regulations Act under Section 11 would also allow the Prime Minister and cabinet members to set up an integrated working committee.
Srisuwan warns that the extension of the SOE would do more harm than good to the economy. It could have lasting repercussions on society even with the use of the emergency loan worth 1.9 trillion baht.
