PM wants Thai-style democracy

By THE SUNDAY NATION

 

 

ON CHILDREN’S DAY, PRAYUT DEFINES HIS CONCEPT AS ONE FREE FROM CONFLICTS

 

THE prime minister told children visiting Government House yesterday that Thailand certainly must have democracy but one that is “Thai-style”.

 

In his speech during an event commemorating Children’s Day, General Prayut Chan-o-cha did not clearly define the term. He simply said that it should be a democracy free from conflicts.

 

“Our country cannot afford any more conflicts. We certainly must have democracy. But it is Thai-style democracy. We must not break the rules. I ask all Thais to consider this,” he said.

 

Prayut, who also heads the ruling junta National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), also said there must be efforts to instil basic democratic principles in younger people to ensure a stable future for the country.

 

The premier told his visitors that this is a “year of peace and orderliness”, adding that the country had seen increased peace and orderliness in the last 3-4 years.

Prayut also had some advice for parents. He asked them to encourage their children to study in the areas that they like and gain skills.

 

“We do not want everybody to do the same things. We should encourage children to study with the goals of increased social development and improved national competitiveness,” he said.

 

Hundreds of minors, accompanied by their parents or guardians, went to Government House and attended activities organised to mark Children’s Day, which is held on the second Saturday of January.

 

Many of the young visitors went inside the prime minister’s office just to sit on his seat and have their photos taken. Some of the children came from as far as the southern border provinces, and some young visitors represented children with disabilities and special needs.

 

A six-year-old Muslim girl, from a kindergarten in Nonthaburi, was the first child to be allowed to sit on the PM’s seat.

 

Only a small number of lucky children visiting Government House were allowed to have their photos taken with the PM. Others had to settle for having their photos taken with cardboard cut-outs of General Prayut in different poses.

 

The PM also took part in activities organised for the visiting children, including singing and handing out colouring books.

 

Meanwhile, key Pheu Thai Party figure Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan has urged politicians from all political parties to jointly show stance against an “outsider” prime minister gaining power after the next general election.

 

“An outsider PM would ruin the system. Pheu Thai will take a strong stance against an outsider,” Sudarat yesterday told Kom Khao, a website affiliated with the “red-shirt” movement.

 

Sudarat’s appeal came from her belief that Prayut would become the next government head without running in an election because the current Constitution allows an outsider to become a prime minister.

 

Under the charter, 250 senators picked by the junta are empowered to vote along with 500 elected members of the House of Representatives in selecting a new prime minister. This means the new prime minister may not come from the party that wins a majority of seats in the Lower House.

 

Observers believe Prayut may prolong his power after the election by becoming an outsider premier with the support of senators and some politicians for parties connected to the junta. But if politicians joined forces, it would help to prevent the future promulgation of “bizarre” regulations, Sudarat said.

 

Politicians from two major parties – Pheu Thai and Democrat – have called on Prayut to run in the election. But that option is no longer possible because the charter states that members of National Legislative Assembly, Cabinet or NCPO have to resign from their posts within 90 days after the new charter becomes effective if they wish to contest the next election. The new charter was promulgated in April last year.

 

Prayut has said the next election would be held in November.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/breakingnews/30336212

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-01-14

Thailand 4.0: redefining democracy. 

Hopefully the kids will understand what "cloud cuckoo land" means...........

It isn't any kind of democracy, Thai style or otherwise, when only he is allowed to campaign.

Thai style democracy ?

 

That's voting for anyone you want in round one followed by a coup in round two.

19 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

“Our country cannot afford any more conflicts. We certainly must have democracy. But it is Thai-style democracy. We must not break the rules. I ask all Thais to consider this,” he said.

If there are no conflicts, how can you tell the difference between the parties?

 

Just askin'

16 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

 

 

As per the previous thread about children's day, I presume that are 4 cardboard statues in the picture?

6 minutes ago, Denim said:

Thai style democracy ?

 

That's voting for anyone you want in round one followed by a coup in round two.

Well that's the public's stupid fault. What part of 'Vote Democrat or else...' do they not understand? 

Whatever "Thai style" democracy is you can be sure...

 

The military will remain in charge with the backing of those other cornerstones of Thailand.

Prayuth will be PM

Everyone will be happy, or else

 

Really he does?

 

However the picture SAYS it all!

They have Thai style democracy already if you have money to buy it.

Problem sorted, everyone can now get back to normal.

Thailand needs to get away from this ‘Thai style’. This Thai style to me is just an excuse for people to do what they like and say it’s okay ‘cos they’re unique and special. Outsiders can’t undersrand so let us continue. 

 

Thailand can do whatever it likes. As long as the people don’t mind, the rich and elite can continue helping themselves. But if you wanna play with other countries, you’re gonna have change your arrogant ways or you’ll be isolated. 

"Eastern Democracy" as Lee Kuan Yew described his Singapore model and now also the China model has proven to do  miracles to the economies and welfare of developing countries. Basically it is a meritocratic system. It would work very well in Thailand but the problem is finding the people with "merit".

41 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

THE prime minister told children visiting Government House yesterday that Thailand certainly must have democracy but one that is “Thai-style”.

 

In his speech during an event commemorating Children’s Day, General Prayut Chan-o-cha did not clearly define the term. He simply said that it should be a democracy free from conflicts.

 

“Our country cannot afford any more conflicts. We certainly must have democracy. But it is Thai-style democracy. We must not break the rules. I ask all Thais to consider this,” he said.

Addenda, issued by PM (posting member):

In order to clarify a number of vague utterances, that I like to make, as and when it suits me, please observe:-

• 'Thai-style' means 'My style', OK and let there be no doubt about that.
• I cannot clearly define the term 'cos it just came into my head. You know what I mean, like . . . it sort of sounds good . . . dunnit?
• But, whatever it is, it must be free from conflicts . . . well, that's obvious . . . innit?
• And remember, dear children, don't break the rules; don't brake my rules . . . OK
• And when I say "I ask all Thais to consider this", I mean all Thais must remember the main rule which is "Do as Prayut says, not as Prayut does," 'cos, if the truth be known, I'm just about the most evil, lying, self-centred and mentally-sick cretin that ever walked the earth. Oops, who the hell put that in? . . . You'll have people thinking I'm stupid, if you're not careful. But the rest are OK, though . . . go stick 'em on that cut-out, over there.

Is "Thai Style Democracy" some kind of oxymoron? 

 

Quote

PM wants Thai-style democracy

Thai style democracy???    <deleted>  What next; square shaped circle?

and besides that...

For Thai style democracy read: Military dictatorship

51 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Under the charter, 250 senators picked by the junta are empowered to vote

And so many here use to complain about vote buying. Thai style or not this is "legalized" unfairness. 

27 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

If there are no conflicts, how can you tell the difference between the parties?

 

Just askin'

Prayut has asked me to clarify the 'conflicts' issue. Well, there are big conflicts, the ones we army boys really like and that we put down with our big guns and brain-washing, and there are little conflicts, like when we - oops, I forgot myself, there - the elite, the establishment, the democrats . . . call 'em what you like as long as you remember they're the best party, and those other horrible, poor, farming people from the jungle - the PTP, I think they call themselves - get into a bit of name-calling and muck-slinging. Now we can't have that, now, children, can we? . . . so, no small conflicts, OK.

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Others had to settle for having their photos taken with cardboard cut-outs of General Prayut in different poses.

I think this guy is so popular he will have his own show in Vegas soon. Viva Las Prayut !

1 hour ago, Bluespunk said:

Thailand 4.0: redefining democracy. 

But pretty much all the sycophantic, fawning former 'leaders', notably former army men, have always rolled out this facile 'special democracy' argument since forever. I think Kriangsak Chomanand was the first that I recall babbling about it. Then Prem, etc..

 

Thailand 1.0 Service Pack 19 maybe?

 

Since 1932, when the absolute monarchy was abolished, Thailand has had 25 general elections and 19 coups d'état, 12 of them successful. In terms of regime changes, I suppose this makes Thailand a democracy by a slim margin.

10 minutes ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

Is "Thai Style Democracy" some kind of oxymoron? 

 

No! It's like Muay Thai without boxing and kicking, while the referee is reading his latest poems and changes the rules for every round.

20 minutes ago, HiSoLowSoNoSo said:

Is "Thai Style Democracy" some kind of oxymoron? 

 

The 'moron' part is definitely right. The contradiction is pretty normal, too.

It's just like regular democracy, but with a larger straw to easier consume the chunky bits. It will be treated like anything else, throw out the parts you don't like, add your own; viola-"Thai Style"

Thai style democracy has not worked since 1932. Thailand just need consistent election and the military to stop staging coup to bring back Thai style democracy. 

“Our country cannot afford any more conflicts. We certainly must have democracy. But it is Thai-style democrazy. We must not break the rules, but we can use article 44. I ask all Thais to consider this,” he said.

 

  

 

 

What do you call a "former army general and now Politician in Uniform"???

you really can't have a democracy without freedom of speech and expression... free speech is not possible here.

I believe his concept of "Thai-style democracy" is roughly equivalent to the concept of "Thai-style road safety."

 

Gleaned from his sugar Daddy and master financier  Xie, now comes the corny 'Democracy with Thai characteristics' presented to you by the puppet master and his undeclared,wealthy  horloge fancier. It  means you may disagree with whatever, as long as you keep your trap shut, and stay put.' We must not break the laws' except in removing elected governments, and disappearing people. Anyone may be prosecuted for breaking the law, except of course those who are more equal than others.