UN chief urges all Thai parties to respect democratic principles

BANGKOK, May 21 (TNA) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has reiterated his call on all Thai parties to exercise “utmost restraint” in the wake of the nationwide imposition of martial law, declared by Thai Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha on May 20, urging a constructive dialogue to end the prolonged domestic political strife. Ban said in a statement, released by his spokesperson in New York on Monday (local time), that he is closely following up updates in Thailand, after the martial law enforcement throughout the country. Ban insisted that the way to secure Thailand's peace and prosperity is through full respect for democratic principles and engagement in democratic processes, while fully respecting human rights as well. According to the statement, the UN chief said he has consistently called on all sides in Thailand to work together to seek a solution to the prolonged domestic political stalemate through a constructive dialogue. Thailand's political protests began in October 2013, with anti-government demonstrators demanding for the ouster of the government of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and anti-corruption reforms. Yingluck, who is a younger sister of exiled ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was removed from office by a ruling of Bangkok's Constitutional Court on May 7, 2014 in a case involving her negligence, as the court found, in her administration's loss-ridden rice pledging scheme. (TNA)