Between 2014–2019, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), led by Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, invoked more than 400 orders using Section 44 of the military government's interim charter. Most of these orders, especially the ones on national security, were criticised for infringing upon human rights and freedom of expression, while its ordinances on economic policies, such the promotion of social economic zone and the Eastern Economic Corridor, were scrutinised for appeasing the rich private sector.
Yet, Gen Prayut was praised -- even by anti-government grassroots activists -- for using this interim regulation in 2016 to close a gold mine operated by Akara Resources in Phichit province.
