PM Prayut told to step down as junta chief first

[webfact]

PM told to step down as junta chief first

By POLITICAL DESK 
THE NATION 

 

 

PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha appears to have made up his mind to take a risky political journey after publicly admitting for the first time yesterday that he was “interested in political work”. Of course, he said, his future would depend on “how people see it”.

 

However, Prayut has remained tight-lipped as to which political party he is going to join and run as its PM candidate, though observers and the media have pointed to a new outfit called Palang Pracharat. The party plans to nominate Prayut as its PM candidate and certain government figures are expected to join it.

 

Critics say preparations have been made for Prayut’s comeback as prime minister, including favourable new laws and regulations, along with recent political moves.

 

He has been under pressure to reveal his plans, but it has been a dilemma for him. Staying silent about his political future will see him being pestered by the media and critics, while making his political plans clear risks attacks from politicians who see him as their rival.

The pressure on him will only increase.

 

Another question has emerged as to whether the former Army chief should step down as NCPO leader. His continued tenure could be seen as being more advantageous versus other competitors, as the junta leader has unrestricted power over all branches of government. When asked about it by a Government House reporter yesterday, he responded with a clear “No”.

 

He is aware of the negative impacts, but he has no choice. Prayut had earlier refused to answer reporter’s questions about his political future, saying that if he clarified it early, he risked getting attacked early.

 

And that appeared to have come true yesterday, as politicians started aiming their attacks at him.

 

Korkaew Pikulthong, a Pheu Thai Party politician and key red-shirt leader, yesterday called on Prayut to come to power through election the next time.

 

“That way is dignified,” he said, obviously referring to the fact that Prayut took power through a military coup.

 

“General Prayut has all the power mechanisms in his hands and has an advantage over all the political parties. So it is not difficult for him to enter politics,” he said.

 

Governing as an elected prime minister is another matter. Korkaew noted that Prayut would no longer have post-coup power, but would instead face scrutiny by the parliamentary opposition and the media.

 

Watana Muangsook, another key Pheu Thai figure, said yesterday that Prayut had an advantage over fellow politicians by refusing to step down as NCPO leader, while prohibiting political parties from campaigning.

 

“I am not surprised with what he said. He has made it clear from the beginning that he wants to be in power, but is afraid of contesting an election,” Watana wrote on Facebook.

 

Prayut was not alone yesterday. PM’s Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool said he has developed an interest in politics after having worked in the government over the past few years.

 

“I am happy we have been able to help people. In the future, we may continue offering benefits to the people,” he said yesterday.

 

Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana yesterday also voiced his interest in politics. He said he was weighing his opportunity to continue his political work.

 

Uttama and Kobsak are expected to take key positions in the pro-Prayut Palang Pracharat Party, which is scheduled to convene its general meeting this Saturday.

 

The picture will be clear when the party selects its executive members and announces its election plan.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30355149

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-25

[Thaiwrath]

22 minutes ago, webfact said:

“I am not surprised with what he said. He has made it clear from the beginning that he wants to be in power, but is afraid of contesting an election,”

Understatement of the year.

Lose that, and it shows exactly what he is politically...............................................Nothing !

[assayer]

PM told to step down as junta chief first

 

If this happens,who would become the Thai PM?

Oh Oh,you better "WATCH" out what you ask for.

[zzaa09]

I've come to the long conclusion that national elections and their false parades should be of little interest to anybody, as nothing surprising is gonna develop - back to the same old bosses. 

 

However, what should be of greater concern to all might be the much more important local and provincial elective process, impacting the real populations in ways that lend reality to their lives - and usually with minor associations and interference from the national peerage....

 

Understanding the corrupt trickling up and down relationship between provincial, amphoe, and tambon officialdom and federal government - and it's unusual history - is worthy to look into if one isn't familiar to how all this Thai political works. 

[Thailand]

I guess his best bet would be to step down,form an alliance with Thaksin and Thorn and then hope the new party nominates him.

Or simply go with the current "rigged"election scenario.

But the who knows, maybe a Maldives and then he could lose both his pensions. ????

[canuckamuck]

They act like they have everyone fooled in their great magic act, but everyone has seen these tricks and can tell you how their done. The audience is forced to watch the show anyway.

Relinquishing power at this point would be completely ceremonial. There is no way for this trick to fail. They have been working on it for years.

Perhaps an original trick will come from the people, I doubt it, but it is the only mystery left to ponder.

[Esso49]

Decency and good character was once a required acceptable trait for any budding politician.  Now it appears to have dropped into the abyss

[Eligius]

If anyone thinks that this guy would ever, EVER, 'enter politics' in a fair way and govern in a way that exposes him to full and open criticism - then I've got a bridge on Neptune to sell that person.

 

The only way the junta leader will 'enter politics' (as if he has not been dominating Thai politics for the last 4+ years) is if everyone else is bound hand and foot and gagged in the mouth - and then has a gun pointed at their head.

 

Fair, right? It is totally fair - in the mind of this 'democratic soldier'!

 

Edited September 24, 2018 by Eligius

[kingkenny]

If he wins it will be interesting to see if the Exit Polls match the actual result, unless of course they control the Exit Polls also.

[Jeremy50]

Send him back to barracks to slop out the latrines. 

[4MyEgo]

My crystal ball tells me he is in for a surprise, the people will rise and elect someone else, whether he accepts that elected person to govern the country, is another story.

[baboon]

Putting aside the scoop of the century that he wants to stay on, my question is this: Is the man mental?

Does he lack the self-awareness to realise he would be a complete and utter laughingstock without Article 44? Surely he can't be that stupid...? 

[Lungstib]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Another question has emerged as to whether the former Army chief should step down as NCPO leader. His continued tenure could be seen as being more advantageous versus other competitors, as the junta leader has unrestricted power over all branches of government.

You seriously think this will bother him? A man who has made all rules to suit his wishes and who can create crimes out of thin air for the opposition. Having worked his way from despising all politicians to now becoming one it is obvious that truth, principles and honesty, or the lack of them, is something he has in common with all who have come before. The stage is set for 20 years of military rule and the man who set it up has not done so for someone else to step up and take over.

Edited September 25, 2018 by Lungstib

[robblok]

47 minutes ago, Lungstib said:

You seriously think this will bother him? A man who has made all rules to suit his wishes and who can create crimes out of thin air for the opposition. Having worked his way from despising all politicians to now becoming one it is obvious that truth, principles and honesty, or the lack of them, is something he has in common with all who have come before. The stage is set for 20 years of military rule and the man who set it up has not done so for someone else to step up and take over.

Its not only Prayut.. every PM or party that is in power during an election year has of course a advantage over those who are not in power. They always start to pour out gifts around that time and if in power government money is used. I seen it before so nothing new here. 

[madmitch]

Politics is very different when there's an opposition questioning your ideas. 

[Lupatria]

Nobody who ever gained absolute power over a country by force did it with the slightest intention to ever give it up, and little Caesar is no different. Meanwhile, the uneducated, brainwashed, and obeying people are not even aware of the outrageous impertinence of him and his cronies to call this "democracy".

[dean2926]

He won't step down.  As head of the junta he has unlimited power over everyone and every thing.  As a PM he is just another powerless politician to be dominated by the military at their convenience.

[Bournville]

What a surprise 5555

Be happy

[yellowboat]

He is like a delusional child.  He knows that he will miss prancing around and feeling important self important.  Sadly he does not understand Thailand is better without his participation in government.

 

It boggles the mind that anyone would vote for the big fop.    

[hansnl]

57 minutes ago, madmitch said:

Politics is very different when there's an opposition questioning your ideas. 

Really?

If one party has a majority in parliament, whatever the opposition does is just words, the ruling party does whatever it wants to do.

Like the latest Shin government tried to do.....

[madmitch]

37 minutes ago, hansnl said:

Really?

If one party has a majority in parliament, whatever the opposition does is just words, the ruling party does whatever it wants to do.

Like the latest Shin government tried to do.....

Just words, maybe. But Prayut doesn't like questions - from anyone. I'm just saying it's very different to having a house full of yes-men!

[jesimps]

"I've come to the long conclusion that national elections and their false parades should be of little interest to anybody, as nothing surprising is gonna develop - back to the same old bosses. "

 

I assume you're referring to the military, as they seem to have been in power a damned site longer than any civilian govt. Just let the people choose who they want to govern them, it's called democracy. If they vote for the same old people and the poll's been fair and above board, then so be it, it's what the people want. 

[canuckamuck]

3 hours ago, robblok said:

Its not only Prayut.. every PM or party that is in power during an election year has of course a advantage over those who are not in power. They always start to pour out gifts around that time and if in power government money is used. I seen it before so nothing new here. 

What you say is true to a point. One difference here is that that for 4 years criticism has been essentially illegal, all of the political parties which would have normally served to scrutinize and critique government action have been forbidden to gather and perform political functions. As well as the fact hat the PM is running with the full protection of immunity for any action.

It's like having Thor's hammer to pound a nail.

[connda]

If he was a cagey political animal, he'd join the Pheu Thai Party. 

[ReMarKable]

Any follow-up on what happened to the personal secretary, which he did not know, despite her being his personal secretary?  Or the secretary's husband found dead with a business card on his body?

[Esso49]

10 minutes ago, ReMarKable said:

Any follow-up on what happened to the personal secretary, which he did not know, despite her being his personal secretary?  Or the secretary's husband found dead with a business card on his body?

The people following up on this story appear to have disappeared

[maxcorrigan]

6 hours ago, baboon said:

Putting aside the scoop of the century that he wants to stay on, my question is this: Is the man mental?

Does he lack the self-awareness to realise he would be a complete and utter laughingstock without Article 44? Surely he can't be that stupid...? 

You forgot a complete amnesty in case things go wrong, not too many PMs have got that type of protection!

[Blue bruce]

I would like to know out of all Thais that can vote, how many actually do!!

My wife is 50 years old, she has never voted in her entire life. Neither has any of her family. I think this is common amongst most Thais outside of BKK.

Most do not know what an election is and therefore don't care. To most Thais it does not matter who the P.M is!!!

[Dave67]

 pro-Prayut Palang Pracharat Party. More peas that a field in Essex 

[chama]

12 hours ago, 4MyEgo said:

My crystal ball tells me he is in for a surprise, the people will rise and elect someone else, whether he accepts that elected person to govern the country, is another story.

I hope your ball is right although recent polls (which can easily be manipulated, and probably have been) but will any Thai election be fair if one of the candidates has the power to influence the vote count? And once a winner is put into place (from a fair election?) will there be another junta?