Members of the opposition said on Wednesday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha should be more accountable after his administration’s mistakes led to a possible outbreak in two major cities.
Anusorn Iamsa-ard, the spokesperson for the Pheu Thai Party, and Surin Klungsaeng, the Pheu Thai MP and opposition whip, both expressed concerns over the special regulations for foreign diplomatic officials that allowed them to enter the country without any form of state quarantine.
There were 31 Egyptian officials reportedly staying and travelling within the Rayong province. One of them was found to be infected with the virus.
Anusorn said that Prayut’s apology to the nation lacks sincerity because this has caused extreme damage to the people of Rayong.
He added that this is not the first time that foreign officials were given special treatment, citing the American Embassy party as an example. The attendees, including the public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul, did not wear masks and practice social distancing.
If the prime minister is sincere in his apology, he would need to come up with something more concrete to show responsibility, Anusorn said.
“The CCSA preached to people three times a day… to not let their guards down, but they themselves let their guards down. They act like they are the heroes but in reality, they are villains that cause chaos in society,” he added.
Surin said, “I understand that the government is quite concerned because if there is a second outbreak, there are no longer any funds to help people.”
Srisuwan petition for investigation
Srisuwan Janya, secretary-general of the Constitution Protection Association, filed a petition to the Anti-Corruption Court that they investigate Prayut, who is the director of the CCSA, and its members on ground of malpractice for having lax measures for foreign diplomatic officials.
Srisuwan said that allowing diplomatic officials special concessions breaches the Vienna Convention on Law of Treaties and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations which states that embassies and diplomatic officials must respect the laws and regulations of the receiving state.
He added that the CCSA does not have the authority to give special treatment to foreign diplomats as it violates the state of emergency.
“I believe that giving special treatment to those with diplomatic status is malpractice and shows the abuse of one’s post to benefit a specific group of people,” Srisuwan said. “I think that the prime minister should resign from his position [as the director of the CCSA].”
