Prayut wins Newin’s support

By THE NATION

 

 

JUNTA LEADER FACES FRESH CRITICISM FOR ‘WOOING’ KINGMAKER IN BURI RAM

 

JUNTA LEADER General Prayut Chan-o-cha faces fresh criticism for attempting to woo old-guard politicians to support a pro-military party, during his latest trip to the Northeast that began yesterday.

 

In Buri Ram, where he took to the stage cheered by a crowd of around 30,000 locals, Prayut may be hoping that his Bt20-billion development budget will win him the support of local political heavyweights, paving the way to election success.

 

Local power the Bhum Jai Thai Party came third in the last election, in 2011, when it gained 34 parliamentary seats.

 

While securing Bhum Jai Thai’s support would help guarantee the junta’s role in the post-election administration, it would still leave the military bloc a long way short of the 200 seats it needs to surpass the Pheu Thai Party, which at the last polls gained 265 seats, accounting for 53 per cent of all seats.

 

Four years ago this month, Prayut staged a coup and blamed politicians as the root cause behind half of the country’s problems.

 

But today, all signs point to Prayut building an alliance made up of those same politicians he pledged to eradicate from power after the coup.

 

“Prayut has become the ultimate hypocrite,” Paul Chambers, a Thailand-based expert on the kingdom’s politics, told AFP.

After endless politician-bashing, “now Prayut and the [junta] are using many of these same corrupt politicians to build a political party”.

 

The comment came as Prayut set out on his visit to Buri Ram, where he was welcomed by local political “kingmaker” Newin Chidchob.

 

Newin, who played significant roles in the premierships of Thaksin Shinawatra and Abhisit Vejjajiva, vowed to distance himself from political activities in 2011 but is still regarded as an influential local figure.

 

Bhum Jai Thai’s current leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, also made an appearance on stage yesterday, and claimed that the mass local gathering had no political agenda. “It’s still too soon to think about it [the election] now. We don’t know yet how many MPs we’ll have,” Anutin said.

 

Prayut had just three weeks ago appointed political figures influential in the eastern seaboard to Cabinet-level adviser positions – a move that caused many to wonder whether the general’s impression of politicians had already been changed under pressure to attract credibility for his own future political ambitions.

 

In recent months, Prayut has reportedly also met with Sasomsub family, another powerful political clan based in Nakhon Pathom.

 

“Prayut understands how politics functions. If you want to win an election as a newcomer you have to collaborate with existing powers in provinces,” said politics professor Titipol Phakdeewanich.

 

Yesterday marked the start of Prayut’s two-day visit in the lower northeastern provinces of Surin and Buri Ram before he heads a mobile Cabinet meeting today.

 

Praising Buri Ram as “culturally rich province with peace and no political conflict” and “a good model of people unity”, Prayut yesterday promised the mass gathering he would fix the problems for a province that suffers low income per capita.

 

The Bt20-billion local development budget would be distributed to four Northeast provinces, to set up sports-science centre in Buri Ram, expand Buri Ram airport, develop the irrigation system, |and cultivate border trade and |tourism.

 

In Surin, where Prayut visited a local silk village, he was greeted by 3,000 people.

 

Provincial authorities, meanwhile, are expected to ask the Cabinet to grant over 84 rai (13 hectares) under the Department of Highways to build a new customs checkpoint.

 

The current Cambodia-border checkpoint at Chong Chom last year saw total trade value of Bt3.01 billion with key local products being fuel, juice drinks and soft drinks.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30344823

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-08

 

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

“Prayut has become the ultimate hypocrite,” Paul Chambers, a Thailand-based expert on the kingdom’s politics, told AFP.

After endless politician-bashing, “now Prayut and the [junta] are using many of these same corrupt politicians to build a political party”.

Well said.

 

Are the Thai people going to reward Prayut for the shameless bribing of old, old politicians? I very much have my doubts; what I see among the Thai people is a desire to have new politics, not the worst of the old ways.

 

I don't think voters will take kindly to this. And for members who have a historical bent, perhaps you might want to review the numbers 1-9-9-2.

 

Why not just buy a belt if your trousers keep falling down !!

We know what you are it's just a matter of determining the price.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

“now Prayut and the [junta] are using many of these same corrupt politicians to build a political party”.

If you cannot beat'em lead'em.   He just came to realize that he had more in common with these people than he realized.   Sadder days await Thailand. 

Not sure why, but that photo reminds me of a ZANU PF gathering, in a Harare football stadium !!

With a slightly better suntan, he could be Mugabe 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Four years ago this month, Prayut staged a coup and blamed politicians as the root cause behind half of the country’s problems.

blame-shifting, the thai way; boggles the mind that this guy who has damaged the country substantially would stay in power (ok,ok it will be thru a mechanism/loophole he and his created )

Yes i am the man, back me people, i will lead Thailand in the future.

You think Thaksin was corrupt, follow me and i will show you i am a better man than him.

Anything he can do, i can do better.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Prayut has become the ultimate hypocrite

 

Become?

 

Oh one can only hope the Thai people wake up to what is happening ! buying politicians, dictating to the people, 20 years of ones laws whether in power or not, choose who can contest an election if there is going to be one the list goes on

3 hours ago, webfact said:

JUNTA LEADER FACES FRESH CRITICISM FOR ‘WOOING’ KINGMAKER IN BURI RAM

He wouldn't have come cheap! An important ministerial position in the new "democratic" Junta Party?

3 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Well said.

 

Are the Thai people going to reward Prayut for the shameless bribing of old, old politicians? I very much have my doubts; what I see among the Thai people is a desire to have new politics, not the worst of the old ways.

 

I don't think voters will take kindly to this. And for members who have a historical bent, perhaps you might want to review the numbers 1-9-9-2.

 

I think wait and see, if they do still vote for the parties supporting Prayut it shows that people are more bound to their local leaders than to the PTP. A lot of leaders and allies have gone away from the PTP. Interesting if the PTP is as popular as you think it is it will still have the same results as before. 

 

Anyway the guy is right Prayut is the ultimate hypocrite.. I said that a few times before. I don't mind him doing the same as Thaksin and the PTP but its unfair that he does it while others can't campaign. 

2 hours ago, davehowden said:

Why not just buy a belt if your trousers keep falling down !!

How would it be to see the relevance and the importance of this peice of news, instead of making a joke out of the Thai culture and traditions?

30 minutes ago, Get Real said:

How would it be to see the relevance and the importance of this peice of news, instead of making a joke out of the Thai culture and traditions?

Ah, you mean watching Ground Hog Day ad infinitum? Same corrupt politicians year in and year out. Prayut, if he's elected would drag Thailand back into the past - which on reflection may not be a bad thing. Happy to be a third world country. 

We all know why the coup happened, and it had nothing to do with politics, but rather, power

2 hours ago, cornishcarlos said:

Not sure why, but that photo reminds me of a ZANU PF gathering, in a Harare football stadium !!

With a slightly better suntan, he could be Mugabe 

Nah. Bob at least brought a little chic to despotism... 

 

1 hour ago, baboon said:

Nah. Bob at least brought a little chic to despotism... 

 

 

Please be patient, he's trying.

 

 

 

 

I think this thread should be re-titled "Prayut Buys Newin's Support. 

 

Whorrible people they are.  

9 minutes ago, Darcula said:

 

Please be patient, he's trying.

 

 

 

 

It's too Putin for my taste... I'm more of a sunglasses and shiny adornments with tooled up thugs waiting in the wings type...

6 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Well said.

 

Are the Thai people going to reward Prayut for the shameless bribing of old, old politicians? I very much have my doubts; what I see among the Thai people is a desire to have new politics, not the worst of the old ways.

 

I don't think voters will take kindly to this. And for members who have a historical bent, perhaps you might want to review the numbers 1-9-9-2.

 

 

I'm not at all sure that Prayuth is being sensible in trying to forge an alliance with someone who is generally regarded as being one of the most corrupt men in the country.

 

While simultaneously claiming not to be campaigning.

 

While simultaneously ensuring that other political parties cannot campaign.

 

Increasingly he appears like a man who knows he is done and is desperately thrashing about in order to stave off the day. Might be wrong but it's the feeling his actions and words engender.

 

2 hours ago, stephenterry said:

Ah, you mean watching Ground Hog Day ad infinitum? Same corrupt politicians year in and year out. Prayut, if he's elected would drag Thailand back into the past - which on reflection may not be a bad thing. Happy to be a third world country. 

Yep, something like that. I didn´t say if it was positive or negative. that´s in the eyes of the one that sees and hears. I do agree with you, that a third world status is to prefer.
That due to an otherwise extreme raise in cost of living and having fun for us foreigners that in the case of development would flee the country in masses. 

You can buy a lot of politicians with 20 billion of other people's money. 

26 minutes ago, baboon said:

It's too Putin for my taste... I'm more of a sunglasses and shiny adornments with tooled up thugs waiting in the wings type...

 

I'd be really interested to find out what or who he sees in his bathroom (or any other) mirror every morning. I think it's undeniable that he's a narcissist, but I really would like to understand who or what he sees looking back at him, because it would give some good insights as to his mental state, which I believe (on the evidence of his behaviour for the past 4 years) to be a bit parlous.

 

I don't think he's a very well bunny, this guy.

 

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Four years ago this month, Prayut staged a coup and blamed politicians as the root cause behind half of the country’s problems.

 

But today, all signs point to Prayut building an alliance made up of those same politicians he pledged to eradicate from power after the coup.

Like many politicians the PM wants to hunt with the hounds AND run with the hares!  Politicians will do whatever is required to get themselves elected BUT NOT necessarily what the people want or need. 

Notice how in so many pictures Prayut is always flashing up the 'devil's horns' symbol with his fingers. Quite appropriate, of course: he comes from hellish realms - and will doubtless return there!

 

Edited May 8, 20188 yr by Eligius

He may be the 'ultimate hypocrite' but he's a hypocrite with power...and we foreigners won't be voting. The only people that seem to be risking jail etc. are a few brave students. 'Mia Ben Rai, Mai Dtong Khit Man Ja Jop Dai Dee, It doesn't matter, don' think about it. It will all end well' is all I hear where I live.

4 hours ago, Darcula said:

 

Become?

 

Hahaha No surprises here 

5 minutes ago, TKDfella said:

He may be the 'ultimate hypocrite' but he's a hypocrite with power...and we foreigners won't be voting. The only people that seem to be risking jail etc. are a few brave students. 'Mia Ben Rai, Mai Dtong Khit Man Ja Jop Dai Dee, It doesn't matter, don' think about it. It will all end well' is all I hear where I live.

I agree with you, TKDfella; but I do think a momentum of public opposition to Prayut is now at last beginning to develop and grow. The question is: will it be big enough? That I sadly doubt ...

At least I will live long enough to see big and small p's fall.

he is no worse than all other politicians.

Sadam was the best friend of US, because he kept Iran in line ,and was promised a 

free way to the Golf ( to export his oil). His whole army was given by the US .

After he did his "task",the US broke there promise and did not give the promised free-way.

So ....Sadam took what was promised ......and this he was punished for .

Politicians -mafia- corruption .......it's all the same shit.