Prayut: shaken, defensive and easily riled

 

 

The premier fires a warning shot across the bows of the Future Forward Party

 

Those who are confident in their trade resist all temptation to defend it, lest doing so might indicate weakness

 

 But this is not the case with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who this week blasted the leader of the Future Forward Party, Thanatorn Juang-roongruangkit, a likely rival to junta-friendly parties in the coming election. Thanatorn drew the premier’s ire by stating that his first order of business, if elected to lead the country, would be to scrap the 2017 constitution and revoke all orders issued by the junta, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). 

 

It’s no secret that Prayut wants to continue as prime minister but is fearful of being tested in a general election, lest the public give him a failing grade for his four years in power. Thus, he and his lieutenants established a ground rule that would allow a non-member of Parliament to be nominated as prime minister. 

 

The NCPO seized power four years ago promising to end street protests, restore democracy and carry out a series of reforms. Today, no one is talking about those reforms. They’re not part of the usual social discourse, partly because so many people simply lost hope in the junta’s ability or intent to bring about genuine change. Not only is the NCPO grasping at deeds that might qualify as achievements towards a lasting legacy, it is also scrambling to hold onto power in the face of public cynicism. 

 

So when Thanathorn said he was prepared to “rip up” the constitution and revoke Article 279, which has empowered the premier to overrule other laws, Prayut took it as a direct threat to his administration, legacy and authority.

 

Perhaps Thanathorn could have chosen a better phrase than “rip up” when referring to the charter, because that’s what the Army does every time it stages a coup.

 

The NCPO should have known its constitution would come back to haunt it, given the way it was pushed through with little public consultation. Moreover, Thanathorn isn’t the only person talking about getting rid of it. Others have voiced the same sentiment, except they chose their words carefully to avoid irking the generals. 

 

Prayut’s reaction to Thanatorn’s statement only demonstrates weakness and insecurity. If the junta is indeed proud of its accomplishments, it should let them speak for themselves and avoid outbursts when riled by criticism. Instead, the Future Forward Party was advised that it should be grateful for the freedom its members enjoy now that the junta has lifted its four-year ban on political gatherings. 

 

Another poor choice of words: If the junta wishes to retain power – or even just earn public respect – there is no need to chastise the Future Forward Party or any other perceived rivals, and certainly not with a reminder of its authoritarian nature. 

 

The clamp on political activities was arguably necessary four years ago to pry apart the warring political sides, but the junta’s decision to keep the ban in place ever since hurt the junta as badly as anyone else. With the election scheduled to take place in about eight months, there has finally been an easing of restrictions.

 

We cannot allow any backsliding. Veiled threats to politicians now that they are speaking up again should not be tolerated.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30346555

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-05-30

Prayut and Co. should just bail out while their bank accounts are looking good.

There will be no legitimacy to be gained if they carry on with this farcical, pantomime of an "election".

Threatening the opposition is about as low as you can stoop. He is running scared and so he should.

In a free and fair election, with adequate campaigning time, he wouldn't stand a chance !!

9 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said:

In a free and fair election, with adequate campaigning time, he wouldn't stand a chance !!

Even if we got that far, I think that's what's also worrying.

 

1 minute ago, bluesofa said:

Even if we got that far, I think that's what's also worrying.

 

True..

 

But something is brewing-what that actually is I do not really know.

 

Perhaps a part of the Amart are intimating that it is time for Beethoven to roll over or for Gus to get on the bus..

39 minutes ago, webfact said:

Prayut wants to continue as prime minister but is fearful of being tested in a general election

He should be!

"...It’s no secret that Prayut wants to continue as prime minister but is fearful of being tested in a general election, lest the public give him a failing grade for his four years in power..."

 

If a person does not have the courage to stand in an election, they do not have the courage to be Prime Minister.

 

 

59 minutes ago, webfact said:

It’s no secret that Prayut wants to continue as prime minister but is fearful of being tested in a general election, lest the public give him a failing grade for his four years in power.

he is insecure, not uncommon in thai males

I thought the headline was about my 3 year old!

50 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said:

Prayut and Co. should just bail out while their bank accounts are looking good.

 

 

Witches (to MacBeth):

 

"Abandon now your murdrous task and save yourself, and all, for well,

Or cursed name shall yours become, uponst your folly all shall dwell"

 

Macbeth:

 

"Ok"

 

The End.

 

 

Even with unassailable authority Mr. Grumpy is losing his grip on political reality. And just about everyone can see it. I suspect it is even obvious to his toadying cronies and they won't want to back a loser.

Every chance he will go into emotional meltdown before the year is out and the election approaches.

1 minute ago, Cadbury said:

Even with unassailable authority Mr. Grumpy is losing his grip on political reality. And just about everyone can see it. I suspect even his toadying cronies and they won't want to back a loser.

Every chance he will go into emotional meltdown before the year is out and the election approaches.

Does that mean we will see him burst into tears live?

 

I thought the headline was about my 3 year old!

Not far off the mark.

Prayut’s reaction to Thanatorn’s statement only demonstrates weakness and insecurity.

Just now, bluesofa said:

Does that mean we will see him burst into tears live?

 

Not sure about tears. He might show a trembling bottom lip which would be just as embarrassing. 

But his cardboard cut-out might shed a few cardboard tears in sympathy.

Which prompts me to wonder if he plans to take his cardboard cut-out to Europe to answer media questions about democracy?

The headline is a scary description of the man who controls the guns..

I have my doubts about an election taking place, I personally think we'll see huge clashes and protests before a real election. But this article is bang on the money, Prayuth and the other plastic generals alongside him are a living joke now.

If we ever see election campaigning where serious scrutiny could be placed on Prayuth's manifesto / aims in an open way I would cry laughing at his ability to actually debate stuff. He seriously has all the smarts of a plank of wood, almost anything political you can tell just goes straight over his head.. A truly pathetic and tragic figure, I wonder how long he'll be tolerated for yet as the wheels have (arguably) already come off

Pm Prayuth doing an interview on Tv 

 

The reporter asks Mr. Pm can you list the achievements of the junta in the last 4 years.

 

Answer  mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm 

 

Reporter Well Mr. Pm what are they?

 

Pm  Shut-up or you will be re-educated  That is one achievement we have done, Re-educated a lot of Thais

7 minutes ago, z42 said:

I have my doubts about an election taking place, I personally think we'll see huge clashes and protests before a real election. But this article is bang on the money, Prayuth and the other plastic generals alongside him are a living joke now.

If we ever see election campaigning where serious scrutiny could be placed on Prayuth's manifesto / aims in an open way I would cry laughing at his ability to actually debate stuff. He seriously has all the smarts of a plank of wood, almost anything political you can tell just goes straight over his head.. A truly pathetic and tragic figure, I wonder how long he'll be tolerated for yet as the wheels have (arguably) already come off

I agree with you that he is pathetic - but tragic? No. Great tragic characters (especially if we think of classical Greek tragedy) have something of grandeur about them, a charismatic and impressive character - but are marred by a serious flaw. Prayut has no grandeur or impressiveness: he is all flaw - nothing else.

 

A terrified little bully is not a 'tragic figure': he is a figure of derision, loathing and contempt.

6 minutes ago, z42 said:

I have my doubts about an election taking place, I personally think we'll see huge clashes and protests before a real election. But this article is bang on the money, Prayuth and the other plastic generals alongside him are a living joke now.

If we ever see election campaigning where serious scrutiny could be placed on Prayuth's manifesto / aims in an open way I would cry laughing at his ability to actually debate stuff. He seriously has all the smarts of a plank of wood, almost anything political you can tell just goes straight over his head.. A truly pathetic and tragic figure, I wonder how long he'll be tolerated for yet as the wheels have (arguably) already come off

Playing with metaphors I know, but if the wheels are off (I don't think they are yet - at the wobbly stage perhaps) it will take a lot of force to move the car anywhere.

And like you, I think this is where it's headed...

 

2 minutes ago, JAG said:

Playing with metaphors I know, but if the wheels are off (I don't think they are yet - at the wobbly stage perhaps) it will take a lot of force to move the car anywhere.

And like you, I think this is where it's headed...

 

Right, JAG. This whole thing ain't going to end pleasantly. There will be a 'car wreck'. Totally avoidable, of course - but the Leader will not step down gracefully. So much is clear ...

25 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Does that mean we will see him burst into tears live?

 

If you are taking odds my money is on a live hissy fit and 'Right, that's it. No election.' (I can't win so it isn't fair.)

17 minutes ago, Eligius said:

he is all flaw

 

The four flaws and his haws ??

When Prayuth visits UK perhaps he can be interviewed by Jeremy Paxman.............that should do it!

1 hour ago, Somtamnication said:

I thought the headline was about my 3 year old!

The thing with 3-year olds is that they continue to grow & mature.

6 minutes ago, PREM-R said:

When Prayuth visits UK perhaps he can be interviewed by Jeremy Paxman.............that should do it!

Do it on pay-per-view and get Don King to promote it...

43 minutes ago, Cadbury said:

Not sure about tears. He might show a trembling bottom lip which would be just as embarrassing. 

But his cardboard cut-out might shed a few cardboard tears in sympathy.

Which prompts me to wonder if he plans to take his cardboard cut-out to Europe to answer media questions about democracy?

How will they be able to tell the difference?

Oh I know - the cardboard cut-out looks kinder.

 

He needs to maintain his composure or he might just find someone else in his chair when he returns from Europe. 

All this is - or ought to be - a reminder to the generals & their backers that modern communications technology makes it VERY hard to control information flows & commentary. Even the Chinese & North Korean regimes find it hard & they don't have to struggle every day with generalized incompetence ...

All juntas/ coups end the same when the pockets get lined and are full to bursting they just get bigger pockets and in true  fashion its the bottom of the pile that pays the price    

1 hour ago, webfact said:

It’s no secret that Prayut wants to continue as prime minister but is fearful of being tested in a general election, lest the public give him a failing grade for his four years in power.

The rewards of cowardice.   If Thailand wants more of this cowardly wet blanket loving buffoon,  it will regret it. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thus, he and his lieutenants established a ground rule that would allow a non-member of Parliament to be nominated as prime minister.