Prayut denies political motive in site visit

By THE NATION

 

 

PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday denied there was any political motive behind his visit to Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai, where a rescue operation for 12 teen footballers and their coach was underway.

 

He went to the cave yesterday morning to meet the families of the Mu Pa Academy football team members who have been missing in the flooded cave since last Saturday.

 

Prayut told the parents and other family members, who were in a tent near the cave’s entrance, that he conveyed concerns from His Majesty the King. 

 

“I ask everyone to have hopes and be confident the boys will be safe. The officials will be able to help all of them,” Prayut told the family members. “The 13 boys are like my children. We are the same family. All the Thai people and I are in the same family.”

Some of the family members wept while Prayut was speaking to them, and a mother was heard telling him: “Please help my son.”

 

Prayut said the large-scale rescue operation pointed to the kindness of strangers from all over Thailand and from other countries who had come to help without hoping for anything in return.

 

“I come here to offer encouragement. The purpose is not about politics or election campaigning,” Prayut said.

 

He also had a simple lunch with the missing youngsters’ family members before leaving the rescue site.

 

During the visit, he told reporters that restrictions on their movements at the site were necessary to avoid complicating the rescue operation. He said order was necessary as the operation was being covered by media from all over the world.

 

“All of you should help, no matter when, even after the election. There will certainly be an election,” Prayut said.

 

There was a heavy security presence during the PM’s visit. Prayut was accompanied by Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda and Royal Thai Army commander-in-chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart.

 

Some local officials complained that the presence of senior officers and high-ranking government figures from Bangkok at the rescue site had made their work more difficult.

 

Meanwhile, deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Rangsibrahmanakul came under criticism from social media users yesterday after he was seen in a video clip telling a police search team to show him their drone in operation. 

 

In the video clip, posted on social media and news sites and believed to have been taken during his tour of the rescue site, Srivara was heard saying: “Where is the drone? Let me see it. Do you want your boss to walk to you? Make it fly to me so I can see it.”

 

It was unclear when the video was recorded.

 

Many social media users also criticised Srivara for distracting a rescue team boring holes at the cave in their attempts to save the missing youngsters. His grilling of a junior official was recorded in another video clip.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30348972

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-06-30

Prayut denies political motive.

Well that is a lie, all he was doing was grandstanding, look at me, i am here, just distracting rescuers from their work.

Now before the usual Prayut lovers start having a go, i said yesterday Prayut should be there, but without the hangers on and the grandstanding only there for the photo shoot.

"...The purpose is not about politics or election campaigning,” Prayut said..."

 

Sorry, don't believe you. After sooooo many trips on the taxpayer's dime for pure, partisan, political purposes, the default position is that it is political cheating unless proven otherwise, and you have not proven a thing; not one thing.

 

"...There was a heavy security presence during the PM’s visit..."

 

Hmm...

 

I wonder why there was such a need for a "heavy security presence"? Could it be that he is not as popular as he thinks he is? Could it be that he is not wanted? Could it be that many consider his presence there as unnecessary and nakedly political? Could it be that some/all consider his presence as a publicity stunt?

 

Double Hmm...

 

Prayut was damned if he went (making political capital) and damned if he didn't (uncaring PM).

And this crisis has gripped the Thai nation from Chiang Rai to Songhkla.

So he had to go. 

 

 

 

15 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

“I come here to offer encouragement. The purpose is not about politics or election campaigning,” Prayut said.

Old Chinese saying:  Politicians are like wall dividers....They have to be crooked to stand up.

Never believe anything a politician says for face value.....

 

4 minutes ago, bannork said:

Prayut was damned if he went (making political capital) and damned if he didn't (uncaring PM).

And this crisis has gripped the Thai nation from Chiang Rai to Songhkla.

So he had to go. 

 

 

Respectfully, that is not correct.

 

He could have easily stated that he was concerned for the people in the caves, but that his presence at the site would be a distraction. It would have been a perfectly valid and reasonable thing to say.

 

He chose not to do that.

 

He chose to visit unnecessarily.

 

He chose the publicity stunt.

 

He chose to be a weasel.

 

if he had cared REALLY cared he would have flown home from france on Monday...he waited 5 days, speaks volumes...amazing Thailand where ''saving face is more important than saving lives...

Edited June 30, 20188 yr by mok199
speliings

8 minutes ago, mok199 said:

if he had cared REALLY cared he would have flown home from france on Monday...he waited 5 days, speaks volumes...amazing Thailand where ''saving face is more important than saving lives...

I don't think it was seen as a crisis on Monday. It was still a local story and people thought the boys would soon be found.

18 minutes ago, Samui Bodoh said:

Respectfully, that is not correct.

 

He could have easily stated that he was concerned for the people in the caves, but that his presence at the site would be a distraction. It would have been a perfectly valid and reasonable thing to say.

 

He chose not to do that.

 

He chose to visit unnecessarily.

 

He chose the publicity stunt.

 

He chose to be a weasel.

 

Talk is cheap. The Thai people (and many other nations) expect the head of their government leader to be physically present at the site of a crisis or tragedy. Anything less would have been seen as uncaring.

And what is it with you repeating verbs and only writing on alternate lines? 

 

37 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Prayut denies political motive in site visit

This pompous man has serious delusions of adequacy.

He has two main reason for doing what he does.

1. To satisfy his enormous ego.

2. To try vainly to boost his rapidly shrinking popularity. 

 

He goes around with chest puffed out believing in his own self-importance, oblivious to the fact that many now simply regard him as as source of amusement.

Last night, NHK Japanese TV featured the cave rescue in their news broadcast.

 

Showed Prayut visiting the site with the caption - Thailand's Interim Prime Minister.

 

First time I've seen him called this. Technically it's quite correct, as is Provisional Government of Thailand.

 

Now, if only the Thai media could regularly use these terms.

 

I think Prayut really had to go visit the cave, regardless of the political debate. It's kind of expected world wide by leaders to visit a disaster zone or tragedy etc.

 

Of course not. No way. Never in a million years. Definitely not. Furthest thing from my mind.

 

Liar.

Srivara - what a freaking joke. An absolutely typical arrogant, self-important little big man. Thailand is smothered under the weight of these people who are present at every level of society. Prayut is bad enough, although he does have a legitimate reason for being there. But Srivara is only there to demand adoration from the minions as befitting (as he feels it) his station in life. Scumbag.

Good idea wear a Yellow shirt in the heart of Red shirt country, akin to waving a red flag at a bull.

Just now, bannork said:

Talk is cheap. The Thai people (and many other nations) expect the head of their government leader to be physically present at the site of a crisis or tragedy. Anything less would have been seen as uncaring.

And what is it with you repeating verbs and only writing on alternate lines? 

Your comment about heads of government being in attendance on occasions such as this is quite valid. Except that most other government leaders would do it without the tasteless flamboyance and fanfare that has been witnessed on this occasion.

They would attend for humanitarian reasons and do it with sincerity. And without a tribe of government officials, military personnel and PR camera crews trailing along behind them and getting in the way.

This man does it for different reasons. For a start, he does not has a single drop of sincerity in his blood; that puts him at a serious disadvantage. He is there to exploit a tragic situation to be on a mission of self-promotion and political flag waving. Thus is the nature of this unfortunate man. 

 

31 minutes ago, bannork said:

Talk is cheap. The Thai people (and many other nations) expect the head of their government leader to be physically present at the site of a crisis or tragedy. Anything less would have been seen as uncaring.

And what is it with you repeating verbs and only writing on alternate lines? 

He used a microphone to talk at the individual families. He wanted to put himself and their emotions on display. I think he's an utterly repulsive character but I was prepared to admit that going there was part of the job. But he performed like a publicity hound. Discretion, concern, sensitivity? All missing. 

 

Now he claims to be like a father to the kids? What would the actual real and suffering fathers think of this arrogance and presumption?

Frog-Kisser forget bring good luck frog.

Better stay away, Thai people not want him there.

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

All the Thai people and I are in the same family.” Prayut.

I would beg to differ.

1 hour ago, flyingtlger said:

 

Old Chinese saying:  Politicians are like wall dividers....They have to be crooked to stand up.

Never believe anything a politician says for face value.....

 

You seem to be unintentionally praising him, he may be many things but politicion  aint one of them!

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

Prayut denies political motive.

Well that is a lie, all he was doing was grandstanding, look at me, i am here, just distracting rescuers from their work.

Now before the usual Prayut lovers start having a go, i said yesterday Prayut should be there, but without the hangers on and the grandstanding only there for the photo shoot.

Correct, he should have just arrived - quietly and unannounced without all the hanger-on's and media circus. Meet the parents and the rescue organiser and then buggered-off back home. 

36 minutes ago, a977 said:

Good idea wear a Yellow shirt in the heart of Red shirt country, akin to waving a red flag at a bull.

I believe that many people were wearing yellow during this week, it was something to do with the late King. 

2 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

"...The purpose is not about politics or election campaigning,” Prayut said..."

 

Sorry, don't believe you. After sooooo many trips on the taxpayer's dime for pure, partisan, political purposes, the default position is that it is political cheating unless proven otherwise, and you have not proven a thing; not one thing.

 

"...There was a heavy security presence during the PM’s visit..."

 

Hmm...

 

I wonder why there was such a need for a "heavy security presence"? Could it be that he is not as popular as he thinks he is? Could it be that he is not wanted? Could it be that many consider his presence there as unnecessary and nakedly political? Could it be that some/all consider his presence as a publicity stunt?

 

Double Hmm...

 

Something similar,  the budding Premier of China a few years back made a visit to HK and there was 6 thousand police to protect him , what a popular man

The guy whether we like it or not is the unofficial or without voter representation the parliamentary leader of Thailand, In my opinion be it ever so humble,  political point scoring at this tragic event is not warranted nor is it needed.

2 hours ago, colinneil said:

Prayut denies political motive.

Well that is a lie, all he was doing was grandstanding, look at me, i am here, just distracting rescuers from their work.

Now before the usual Prayut lovers start having a go, i said yesterday Prayut should be there, but without the hangers on and the grandstanding only there for the photo shoot.

The bloke is between a rock and a hard place.

But you know what is what col.

As an expert in political and press gatherings we should take your sage offerings and treat them with the respect they warrant.

POTUS and PM's around are famous around the world for travelling with single digit retinues.

Thanks for the very salient contribution col.

Edited June 30, 20188 yr by Expatthailover

2 hours ago, a977 said:

Good idea wear a Yellow shirt in the heart of Red shirt country, akin to waving a red flag at a bull.

On Thai TV I see most his crew were wearing yellow not sure what that about?

57 minutes ago, chainarong said:

The guy whether we like it or not is the unofficial or without voter representation the parliamentary leader of Thailand, In my opinion be it ever so humble,  political point scoring at this tragic event is not warranted nor is it needed.

Rubbish. He should be constantly and strongly criticized at every opportunity for all of his manifold failings, one of which is using this tragic event and the people who have been affected by it to bolster his sinking popularity. He asked for that treatment when he committed the criminal act of treason against Thailand and its people of  usurping their sovereign power.

Superman 

4 hours ago, colinneil said:

Prayut denies political motive.

Well that is a lie, all he was doing was grandstanding, look at me, i am here, just distracting rescuers from their work.

Now before the usual Prayut lovers start having a go, i said yesterday Prayut should be there, but without the hangers on and the grandstanding only there for the photo shoot.

He forgot to bring Newin 

2 hours ago, chainarong said:

The guy whether we like it or not is the unofficial or without voter representation the parliamentary leader of Thailand, In my opinion be it ever so humble,  political point scoring at this tragic event is not warranted nor is it needed.

 

Sadly, as soon as this guy puts in an appearance, that's what you'll get, like it or not.

11 minutes ago, Media1 said:

He forgot to bring Newin 

 

Even Newin has more pride than to do what Prayuth did. Even Newin, who has no discernible pride at all.