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Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o- cha on Friday said it was necessary for the government to take stringent security measures considering the existence of many unstable factors in the society.
Some people have criticized the government for using harsh measures to tackle certain issues, but they should understand that it is for the sake of maintaining stability and moving the country forward, Prayut said, referring to security measures invoked earlier under Article 44 of the interim constitution.
"Everyone has their obligations and mine are to administrate the country effectively," the premier said.
He made the remarks at a press conference while delivering the government's six-month performance report.
Prayut, along with some deputy premiers and ministers, briefed local and foreign media on the achievements the interim government has made in 11 areas since it started functioning last September.
The 11 areas include national security, economy, education, science and technology, combating corruption, promoting social welfare, protection of the monarchy, preservation of natural resources and the justice system.
The government is currently in the stage of pushing ahead with reforms, in which many laws have been revised, Prayut said, adding it will move on to the next stage of promulgating a permanent charter and handing over power to an elected administration, on the premise that no new conflicts arise.
The premier, concurrently head of the coup-making National Council for Peace and Order, insisted that he had no intention of staying in power for personal benefits, and urged the public and international community to give the government more patience and encouragement instead of criticism.
Many have questioned that reforms are being implemented in a slow manner, but that is what it takes to achieve comprehensive and thorough reforms, Prayut stated.
He also compared the reform process to school education, saying that if you rush it, irrespective of the actual conditions, you would not secure peace and stability.
The government needs to do its job in a step-by-step way, which may take a lot of time, but is safer, Prayut said.
