PM insists polls will be held in February

By THE NATION

 

 

Prayut says many parties want him to stay in power; urges voters not to repeat past

 

WHILE maintaining he wants a general election in February, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday claimed he had received support from many political parties to “stay longer” in power.

 

During his visit to Chumphon province for a mobile Cabinet meeting, the PM also told the southerners to not vote the same way again.

 

The South has been a political stronghold for the Democrat Party, which has won almost all – if not all – House seats in the 14 provinces of the region.

 

General Prayut, who also heads the ruling National Council for Peace and Order, has also previously told voters in the North and Northeast “not to make the same mistake again” during his visits to the regions. The North and Northeast were Pheu Thai Party strongholds in previous elections. Prayut has often blamed politicians for the country’s previous political conflicts.

 

The Cabinet yesterday convened its mobile meeting in the Chumphon campus of the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Prince of Chumphon campus. 

 

“In the future election, do not do the same [as you did in the past] again,” Prayut told the some 300 people gathered to greet him inside the campus. He suggested that voters base their decisions on the policy platforms of contesting parties and not on financial contributions made by local politicians at social functions.

 

“I have not decided which political party I will join. Many people support me. They want me to stay longer. I don’t know what to do,” Prayut told the gathering. The premier also reiterated his recent promise to make clear his political future next month.

 

He maintained yesterday that his latest trip to Ranong and Chumphon in the South was not aimed at wooing support.

 

Earlier yesterday, Prayut also said the election roadmap remained unchanged. 

 

“Agencies say different things, but in the end, adjustments will be needed. I am still firm on February,” he said.

 

At a joint meeting with the Cabinet in Chumphon yesterday, representatives from the private sector proposed 34 development projects for the South with a combined budget price tag of Bt200 billion. The proposal was approved, said Wattana Thanasakcharoen, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce’s southern economic development committee.

 

He said most of the projects were related to the development of infrastructure, particularly transport. These included a project to build a rail link between the eastern and western coasts of the southern peninsula. 

 

The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) yesterday also proposed to the Cabinet a project to develop a southern economic corridor. 

 

NESDB secretary-general Tossaporn Sirisamphan said the project would initially cover four southern provinces – Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat –- and could come into existence in three to five years.

 

In response to the private sector’s proposed development projects, the prime minister said yesterday that his Cabinet accepted the proposal for consideration. 

 

“But we didn’t approve anything yet,” he said, adding that it was unlikely his Cabinet would approve all proposed projects, as they would need huge sums. 

 

“We have to look at the budget and set the order of priorities for the projects. The focus will be on the southern economic corridor that is needed to create added value,” he said.

 

While meeting local residents, the PM said he just wanted encouragement from the people. He signalled “I love you” and drew loud applause from the crowd. Some in the crowd shouted, “We love Uncle Too”, calling Prayut by his nickname.

 

The junta leader thanked them and asked the locals to “think long-term for the country”. He also claimed that though he did not come to power through an election, his government had in four years achieved more than its elected predecessors did.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30352666

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-22

there  will  be  no  flooding

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

While meeting local residents, the PM said he just wanted encouragement from the people. He signalled “I love you” and drew loud applause from the crowd. Some in the crowd shouted, “We love Uncle Too”, calling Prayut by his nickname.

?

7 minutes ago, webfact said:

The junta leader thanked them and asked the locals to “think long-term for the country”

I think they should too, and vote this clown out !

Given the clear, non-stop cheating already on display, is there any reason to believe that the election will be free and fair (enough)?

 

And, given the above, is there a reason to participate in an unfair and un-free election?

 

No and No.

 

Sad, sad days for beloved Thailand...

 

25 minutes ago, webfact said:

I don’t know what to do,” Prayut told the gathering

555 4 years of Prayuth in a nutshell. Couldn't have said it better.

 

What utter arrogance, he is simply telling the electorate not to vote for dems/PT or whoever. I think he might be in for quite a surprise, providing he doesn't rig the election results...

Edited August 21, 20188 yr by sjaak327

14 minutes ago, Thaiwrath said:

I think they should too, and vote this clown out !

....and than what? 

One must certainly understand contemporary Thai history to grasp that the military/elite circles will, and always have, retain dominance. 

Even during the brief romantic periods of so called "civilian" govt, the oligarchy pulled the strings for the most part. 

 

This dreamy talk of open and free elections, variety of political participants, hope for change, etc is largely whimsical Thai/Farang rhetoric. 

Nothing will ever change until the traditional dominion is removed. 

 

 

Has the coronation date been announced and I have missed it? Prayuth said that the election won't be held till after the coronation.

8 minutes ago, tomta said:

Has the coronation date been announced and I have missed it? Prayuth said that the election won't be held till after the coronation.

I've heard the coronation might take place Feb/Mar.......or thereabouts 

27 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

....and than what? 

One must certainly understand contemporary Thai history to grasp that the military/elite circles will, and always have, retain dominance. 

Even during the brief romantic periods of so called "civilian" govt, the oligarchy pulled the strings for the most part. 

 

This dreamy talk of open and free elections, variety of political participants, hope for change, etc is largely whimsical Thai/Farang rhetoric. 

Nothing will ever change until the traditional dominion is removed. 

 

 

Well whilst they can technically vote him out, the constitution, the senate and the 20 year roadmap ensures he will still be pulling the strings in the background. Of course he must know that eventually that traditional dominion as you call it will disappear. It is only a matter of time, and I don't think it will take 20 years, not in this day and age. The elite's dominion is nearing to an end. 

4 minutes ago, sjaak327 said:

Well whilst they can technically vote him out, the constitution, the senate and the 20 year roadmap ensures he will still be pulling the strings in the background. Of course he must know that eventually that traditional dominion as you call it will disappear. It is only a matter of time, and I don't think it will take 20 years, not in this day and age. The elite's dominion is nearing to an end. 

Well stated.

I believe all this will come about sooner than later, as well. 

6 minutes ago, sjaak327 said:

Well whilst they can technically vote him out, the constitution, the senate and the 20 year roadmap ensures he will still be pulling the strings in the background. Of course he must know that eventually that traditional dominion as you call it will disappear. It is only a matter of time, and I don't think it will take 20 years, not in this day and age. The elite's dominion is nearing to an end. 

I hope you're right, but I can't quite see how it is coming to an end unfortunately. Nobody in this country (aside from a few brave students and activists) can see Prayuth for what he is yet and / or don't really care too much about the dire situation the country is in.

The army have form for crushing any internal resistance, and they have managed to whityewash everything to this point somehow, I can't see what has changed, or how it will change, sadly.

32 minutes ago, zzaa09 said:

I've heard the coronation might take place Feb/Mar.......or thereabouts 

If it's only a "might" what a perfect excuse for an election delay

The peasant rebellion will not be televised....

Campaigning for opposition parties can take place from 31st January.

 

Simply a farce with everyone knowing the outcome of the pointless excercise.

Isn't it galling the way this man goes around the country engaging in political campaigning - even telling the people that they must NOT vote in a certain way - while no other persons or parties are allowed even the least bit of political freedom for political campaigning?

 

And if he says he is 'firm' on a February election - that means we can be sure that there will not be an 'election' in February.

 

Honestly, I'm almost at the point now where I can't be bothered with Thai politics any more. Unless the Thais themselves do something substantive to put an end to all this nonsense - it will just go on and on in perpetuity.

 

Mai ben rai.

Is that Prawit he is holding in the photo?

Look at all those smiling, fawning, sycophantic faces around this man (in the photo).

 

This is mental torture before breakfast!

Is that Prawit he is holding in the photo?

No, it's a goat. Prayut is celebrating Eid al-Adha.

Eid al-Adha, also called the "Festival of Sacrifice", is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two.

49 minutes ago, Eligius said:

Look at all those smiling, fawning, sycophantic faces around this man (in the photo).

 

This is mental torture before breakfast!

im surprised he  doesnt  need  wellies  to  walk  in  all  that  slobbering  drool

52 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Is that Prawit he is holding in the photo?

Could well be, looks like it should be on the 'endangered species watch list'.

 

2 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Could well be, looks like it should be on the 'endangered species watch list'.

 

many of  his friends were..............apparently

Talk about rent a crowd ! I attended a philamonic orcherstra night at a university and was amazed at the number of students (that I thought were interested in music) until I found out if they attended and got their names marked off after the event it would give them more marks towards their exam results (most if not all were more amused playing on their phones all night) Just wondering how Mr P rewards his crowd ?

Earlier yesterday, Prayut also said the election roadmap remained unchanged. I didn't realise that there was so many election dates listed on the roadmap !

2 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

I think they should too, and vote this clown out !

Hopefully a vote in February might binish the fastard.

14 minutes ago, tracker1 said:

Earlier yesterday, Prayut also said the election roadmap remained unchanged. I didn't realise that there was so many election dates listed on the roadmap !

It must be because he's using a Satnav which keeps automatically updating the route as obstacles appear along the way.

 

2 hours ago, Eligius said:

Look at all those smiling, fawning, sycophantic faces around this man (in the photo).

 

This is mental torture before breakfast!

 

2 hours ago, kannot said:

im surprised he  doesnt  need  wellies  to  walk  in  all  that  slobbering  drool

Sickening isn't it?

Absolutely sickening.

He didn't say what year though did he ?   Lol.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

“In the future election, do not do the same [as you did in the past] again,” Prayut told the some 300 people gathered to greet him inside the campus.

Well in one point the dear PM and General, who must not be named is right..........

 

..... and then on the flip side, what choices do we ironically have between 1 1/2 options...... ???

Only people heavily sedated want you to stay. GO away