Prayut rejects demands from groups at Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Sawan

By The Nation 

 

 

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday refused to approve the financial demands made by groups from the lower northern provinces during the Cabinet meeting in Nakhon Sawan province this week.

 

Amid claims that regional visits were an attempt to boost his popularity before the election, he said: “In the past four years, we have always had this kind of excursion. So, don’t think that we do this on purpose.

 

“The provincial groups have requested a budget to improve the basic infrastructure. But we already have a plan to do it. So, the allocation will be based on the plan.”

 

He said that the government would look into matters that were urgent and needed allocation from the new national budget for the year 2019. If they required a large mount, the government may consider listing them in the master plan on the development of basic infrastructure, he said.

 

The government has been under scrutiny over concerns that it might go on a spending spree with taxpayers’ money in an effort to build popularity ahead of the election.

 

The Cabinet yesterday also turned down a proposal to increase the retirement allowance for some 600 officials serving the National Council for Peace and Order.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that the Cabinet had not approved the plan and had asked the NCPO’s secretary office to reconsider whether the bonus was really necessary.

 

The NCPO has been under fire since the issue was in the news on Monday. Wissanu said that the number of officials involved had actually been cut down already from more than a thousand to 600.

 

He added that Prayut had remarked that the number could be reduced further. 

 

It was uncertain when the issue would be resubmitted to the government, the deputy PM said. 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30347625

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-13

37 minutes ago, webfact said:

Amid claims that regional visits were an attempt to boost his popularity before the election, he said: “In the past four years, we have always had this kind of excursion. So, don’t think that we do this on purpose.

 

Okaaaaaaaaay, I don't think it is election-related, but... er... ahem... er... others might.

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that the previous visit to Burinam (spelling ?) to buy off the old member of the 'corruptocracy' backfired. I do not know what the Junta uses to monitor and measure public opinion, but whatever method used likely showed that the Thai people were disgusted with the blatant bribery and the comment 'the louder you cheer, the more money we will get!' (or the words to that effect). Since that time, I have seen few references to it and a distinct lack of follow up on it.

 

It is speculation on my part, but I think we are seeing a classic case of the Junta not understanding politics and not knowing what they are doing. I suspect that they believed their own press releases that Thaksin and Yingluck simply "bought" an election and that they could do the same. They can't. Whatever you think/thought of them, Thaksin and Yingluck had real, significant popularity for themselves and their party. While Prayut does have some support personally and the Junta does have some support generally, it simply does not have enough to carry a free and fair election. And, I am beginning to think that they have just realized that, deep down.

 

The Thai people seem to want a serious change; the Junta took power promising that change, but as we have seen, they never meant it. 

 

Now, the opponents of the Junta are able to use the most powerful political slogan there is;

 

"It Is Time For A Change."

 

Edited June 12, 20188 yr by Samui Bodoh
Lack of coffee

I will give the driver a tenner to take the lot to the landfill. ?

2 hours ago, webfact said:

the Cabinet had not approved the plan and had asked the NCPO’s secretary office to reconsider whether the bonus was really necessary

Give them 4.0 baht each, commensurate with their performance

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The NCPO has been under fire since the issue was in the news on Monday. Wissanu said that the number of officials involved had actually been cut down already from more than a thousand to 600.

time and again; excuses based on the relative at the expense of ignoring the absolute; count to 600 , doesnt happen in a minute or two...

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In the past four years, we have always had this kind of excursion

It's normally referred to as a "frog kissing" excursion.

The purse strings are being tightened until the election gets closer; then the flood gates of money will open up.

He said that the government would look into matters that were urgent and needed allocation from the new national budget for the year 2019. Payment for submarines and the other military big boys toys !

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“The provincial groups have requested a budget to improve the basic infrastructure. But we already have a plan to do it. So, the allocation will be based on the plan.”

The problem with a rubber stamp legislature is that there is no scrutiny.  The "plan" may have not gotten the vetting it needed to be successful, hence the villagers desire for more.  The self appointed PM also was quick to offer more.  He should be careful.   The printing presses will over heat with all the money he is spending.  Shortcuts are costly, but Thailand loves them. 

 

Welcome back Steven100.  

Edited June 13, 20188 yr by yellowboat

Troll post removed.  

Frog-kisser take government money to bribe.

Old old government!

Thai people want change.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The Cabinet yesterday also turned down a proposal to increase the retirement allowance for some 600 officials serving the National Council for Peace and Order.

what exactly are they expecting after 4 years of service - a full life pension ?

 

Like every other country in the world - pensions should be based on contributions and 4 years wouldn't/shouldn't amount to much

Prayuth looks overjoyed to be riding on that tractor-trailer unit just out of the showroom. He needs to raise a motorbike convoy and cruise through the neighbourhood like Thaksin did.

 

 

Forget the jokes for a minute Steven we have all missed you, i just hope your absence was not due to illness or injury.

Now a lot of us on here do not agree with you about a certain person, but good to see you back mate.

P.S.   You ready for the next round mate??

Edited June 13, 20188 yr by colinneil

I see messages welcoming 'Century Steve' back to the fold..... I can't see any post by him in this thread..... I checked...he's not blocked by me......Am I going Ba Ba Bo Bo?

10 minutes ago, PREM-R said:

I see messages welcoming 'Century Steve' back to the fold..... I can't see any post by him in this thread..... I checked...he's not blocked by me......Am I going Ba Ba Bo Bo?

Nope, you're not going mad. He didn't actually post, just clicked on the "sad face" icon in response to the OP.

3 minutes ago, nahkit said:

Nope, you're not going mad. He didn't actually post, just clicked on the "sad face" icon in response to the OP.

Phew! that's alright then...  not totally losing it.....yet!

While I would agree that most Thais want an election . I have witnessed over the last 4 years real growth of income amongs Thais and an improvement in their general condition.  There are Big C's; Makro;s and Tesco-Lotus reaching all areas of the country to include Issan.   There are more and more vehicles being sold to average Thais in an expanding middle class. Infrastructure projects are everywhere with huge spending improving roads; bridges and airports.

 

It is obvious to me, having travelled to scores of provinces that Thailand is much better economically over the last 4 years. I really don't know if this is because of so called peace and stability that has been provided by the Government or it's simply the normal growth one would expect in a newly industrialized economy regardless of who is in power.   

 

Once the election is held- it will be most interesting to see how the Thais vote and for whom.

7 hours ago, ratcatcher said:

Prayuth looks overjoyed to be riding on that tractor-trailer unit just out of the showroom. He needs to raise a motorbike convoy and cruise through the neighbourhood like Thaksin did.

 

 

Nah, he's just miffed because he's not allowed to drive the tractor.

Prayut can't approve these request. The money is needed to put a tracking device on the submarine and to buy a new satellite to track it (even if it never leaves port).