Military CourtTheir remarks came as the order, enacted under Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's sweeping power according to the interim charter's Article 44, is applicable only to cases to be brought up from Monday, when the order becomes effective.The order also retained permission for military officials to carry out a policing role. "No one should be fooled by the Thai junta's sleight of hand just before the Human Rights Council begins meeting in Geneva," the director said. "The decision will spare many Thai civilians the injustice of a military trial, but repressive military rule is still a reality in Thailand. "Josef Roy Benedict, deputy director of Amnesty International's Southeast Asia and Pacific Regional office, shared similar concerns. "If the Thai authorities are serious about reforms, they must drop all charges against people who were peacefully exercising their human rights," Benedict said.

Source: The Nation Bangkok September 13, 2016 07:52 UTC