(Wohl: PRK, Zw, ????)Prime Minister says coup was staged to 'save democracy,' insists martial law necessary
PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday launched a full rebuttal against Daniel Russel, the visiting US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, saying the coup was staged to save democracy and that martial law would not be lifted because it could lead to political disturbances.
"Thai democracy will never die, because I'm a soldier with a democratic heart. I have taken over the power because I want democracy to live on," the junta-leader-cum-prime minister declared, adding that the situation in Thailand was unique, as nowhere else was a coup staged to restore democracy.
"We are building democracy every day … I did not seize power to give money away to this or that person or take it as my own property.
.... Prayut said as many as 21 envoys had met with the current administration and understood the situation in Thailand. ......
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