Prayut coy about taking on Defence Minister role

By The Nation

 

 

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha urged media on Friday morning to "wait and see" whether he would also appoint himself Defence Minister in the upcoming fourth Cabinet shuffle of his government.

Local media reported on Friday that in the upcoming reshuffle Prayut would take over the Defence Minister post, while allowing current Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan to remain his Deputy Prime Minister.

 

There has been a trend toward PMs concurrently occupying the Defence lead, including the last prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra. Other concurrent holders were: General Chatichai Choonhavan General Suchinda Kraprayoon, Chuan Leekpai, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Samak Sundaravej, and Somchai Wongsawat.

 

Asked if he had submitted his proposed new Cabinet lineup list for royal endorsement, Prayut said, “I'm doing”.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30331843

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-11-17

Wearing so many hats one has to be very talented !

4 minutes ago, tracker1 said:

Wearing so many hats one has to be very talented !

As can be gleaned from the list of esteemed previous PMs who also served as Defense Ministers: Yingluck Shinawatra, General Chatichai Choonhavan General Suchinda Kraprayoon, Chuan Leekpai, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Samak Sundaravej, and Somchai Wongsawat. 

Edited November 17, 20178 yr by zaphod reborn

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36 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prayut coy

Coyness is not known as one of Prayut's qualities. But I feel the rumour may be true that he will replace Prawit with himself as Defence Minister.

Prawit has made a series of stuff-ups within his portfolio recently and caused some embarrassment to the PM. Anyone who does that can expect retribution. 

Our esteemed PM is sufficiently experienced and knowledgeable to take up any position he chooses.......

34 minutes ago, zaphod reborn said:

As can be gleaned from the list of esteemed previous PMs who also served as Defense Ministers: Yingluck Shinawatra, General Chatichai Choonhavan General Suchinda Kraprayoon, Chuan Leekpai, General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Samak Sundaravej, and Somchai Wongsawat. 

Most of them actually obtained a valid mandate via the Thai electorate. Prayuth was elected PM by the NLA, all of the members of that body were appointed by Prayuth himself.

What exactly does a deputy PM does ? It will be a down grade and embarrassment for Prawit without a ministerial portfolio. 

Wow, just think, a PM that is defense minister with access to prioritize his own department - whatever next ? 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Local media reported on Friday that in the upcoming reshuffle Prayut would take over the Defence Minister post, while allowing current Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan to remain his Deputy Prime Minister.

It hardly seems worth one's time.  The only defense needed in Thailand, other than the constant fabrication of hot air by the public sector, is against flood and drought.  They need a flood / drought specialist not a military man.  It should be a civil defense post. 

53 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

What exactly does a deputy PM does ? 

He helps the PM in bringing happiness to the people. Just like the frog.

Wouldn't be surprised if the job at least stays in the family. Somebody must have memorized Lee Kuan Yew's book from A to Z. Welcome to Thai Inc.

I would think he will be the defense minister or he be a subordinate of any other defense minister

2 hours ago, sjaak327 said:

Most of them actually obtained a valid mandate via the Thai electorate. Prayuth was elected PM by the NLA, all of the members of that body were appointed by Prayuth himself.

Having a "valid mandate" (which I find meaningless in parliamentary political systems) doesn't make these leaders talented or even competent, as can be gleaned from the last PM elevated by the parliamentary system.

What a talented man the little general is, no wonder he and his family have managed to accrue such great wealth on such modest salaries....

I think in this instance, perhaps the silly little general isn't being so silly. 

Maybe as Defence Minister, he feels that he'll be in a better position to foresee any plans to oust him by some more ambitious military types?

with Art 44 he could wear every hat

1 hour ago, zaphod reborn said:

Having a "valid mandate" (which I find meaningless in parliamentary political systems) doesn't make these leaders talented or even competent, as can be gleaned from the last PM elevated by the parliamentary system.

 

No no. Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Hun Sen have valid mandates. And look how talented they are.

 

Ms. Yingluck handpicked herself to be Defense Minister, just as she handpicked herself to chair the rice scheme.

 

Yeah for elections!

2 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

No no. Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Hun Sen have valid mandates. And look how talented they are.

 

Ms. Yingluck handpicked herself to be Defense Minister, just as she handpicked herself to chair the rice scheme.

 

Yeah for elections!

You pick the very worst examples of faux democracies and use that as an argument against holding elections?

Can't wait to see this guy smashed in the election.......the tantrum will be epic.

 

Even more enjoyable will be once he is removed from power and the people are once again free to voice their opinions Prayuth is going to be hearing a lot more than answers to his silly questions.

 

Only voluntary exile awaits.

 

I just could not stop laughing on looking at the picture posted !!....observe the two bodyguards at the back chucklin' mainly the chap on the left ....Oh dear !!!...if the boss see's the pic, the poor chaps will end up diverting trafic on Sukhumvit !!

And naturally ...

Edited November 17, 20178 yr by observer90210

7 hours ago, tracker1 said:

Wearing so many hats one has to be very talented !

Whats that one, you know looks like a cone called, some have a D on,  just cannot remember right now

24 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

Whats that one, you know looks like a cone called, some have a D on,  just cannot remember right now

wakeupandpayattention . It's called a DUNCE cap.

Thanks for that, it will do, but not the word I was thinking of

1 hour ago, Becker said:

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

No no. Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Hun Sen have valid mandates. And look how talented they are.

 

Ms. Yingluck handpicked herself to be Defense Minister, just as she handpicked herself to chair the rice scheme.

 

Yeah for elections!

You pick the very worst examples of faux democracies and use that as an argument against holding elections?

If you want "an argument against holding elections", look no further than the electoral history of Thailand since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Elections are worthless in Thailand. They cause more trouble than anything else as they always make military coups necessary. No elections = no military coups. They'll be in this coup/election cycle for decades and possibly centuries to come. Maybe Prayut will break the cycle and make elections totally unnecessary. He's been doing quite well so far. 3 and a half years and counting...

16 minutes ago, tropo said:

If you want "an argument against holding elections", look no further than the electoral history of Thailand since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Elections are worthless in Thailand. They cause more trouble than anything else as they always make military coups necessary. No elections = no military coups. They'll be in this coup/election cycle for decades and possibly centuries to come. Maybe Prayut will break the cycle and make elections totally unnecessary. He's been doing quite well so far. 3 and a half years and counting...

The coups are only necessary because they elites who orchestrate them deem that to be the case. They can't bear demands for equality or giving up their exclusive rights to the whole pie. That is why they got Suthep to instigate demonstrations (something has freely admitted to) and installed Prayuth.

9 hours ago, tracker1 said:

Wearing so many hats one has to be very talented !

He is, theres nothing he is good at. 

Got to keep the finger on the pulse.

2 minutes ago, stephen tracy said:

The coups are only necessary because they elites who orchestrate them deem that to be the case. They can't bear demands for equality or giving up their exclusive rights to the whole pie. That is why they got Suthep to instigate demonstrations (something has freely admitted to) and installed Prayuth.

The comment was made tongue-in-cheek. Coups undermine any attempt at democracy and are never necessary.  

21 minutes ago, tropo said:

The comment was made tongue-in-cheek. Coups undermine any attempt at democracy and are never necessary.  

Apologies.