From coup-maker to candidate? Thai junta chief mulls election run

[webfact]

From coup-maker to candidate? Thai junta chief mulls election run

By Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha rides on a tractor at a farmer school in Suphan Buri province, Thailand September 18, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha is known for losing his temper in public, but recently he has displayed a softer side amid speculation he may run for office in the first elections since the army seized power in 2014.

 

The general-turned-prime minister has appeared on state television cooking a chicken curry for villagers and riding a tractor with farmers. Last month, he released one of his trademark ballads, which has been played repeatedly on the radio.

 

"Don't let anyone destroy things like in the past ... Hold our hands sincerely and go forward together," goes the song, which was written by the 64-year-old leader himself.

 

Prayuth, in short, has been acting a lot like a politician - even as he keeps the country waiting to hear if he will be a candidate in a long-delayed general election to restore civilian rule, now set for March 24.

 

The election is seen as a battle between voters loyal to ousted populist prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck - both deposed in military coups - and establishment-minded traditionalists who accuse the Shinawatras of corruption.

 

A pro-military party, Palang Pracharat, last week asked Prayuth to be its prime ministerial candidate.

 

Prayuth, however, says he needs time to think. Technically, he has until Friday, the deadline to register candidates.

 

Most presume he will not be able to resist entering the race.

 

Under a new constitution ratified in 2016, the military has a powerful sway over who will be prime minister.

 

A combined majority of the 250-seat Senate, entirely appointed by the junta, and the 500-seat House of Representatives chooses the prime minister.

 

So a candidate who can count on the support of the Senate would only need 126 votes in the lower house to have an overall majority.

 

Even if he doesn't stand in the election, Prayuth could still return as a last-minute "outside" prime minister if parties cannot agree on any of the candidates listed before the vote.

 

LOVE, NOT FEAR

Despite the built-in advantages, Prayuth's transition from coup-maker to candidate may not be easy.

 

Since taking power, he has often shown flares of temper. He once threatened to throw a podium during a press briefing and at another time mused he could "probably just execute" a roomful of reporters.

 

He drew fire from rights groups for a ban on political activity and internet censorship, and for detaining and summoning hundreds of activists and dissidents for "attitude adjustment".

 

Now, Prayuth must act less authoritarian, said political scientist Prajak Kongkirati, who lectures at Bangkok's Thammasat University.

 

"Prayuth needs people to love him now because to win an election you cannot use fear," Prajak said. "He knows he cannot be a dictator forever."

 

In Thailand's deeply divided politics, Prayuth appeals to the royalist, military and middle-class opponents of Thaksin, who is seen as corrupt demagogue for policies that included subsidised health care and support for rice farmers.

 

Both Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, and his sister, Yingluck, forced from office in 2014, live in exile. Both have been convicted of corruption, which they deny.

 

For many in the elite, Prayuth's 2014 coup was necessary - and they might vote for him to extend his tenure, said Pongphisoot Busbarat at Chulalongkorn University.

 

"Prayuth has been doing well for the elite, big businesses and royalist allies," Pongphisoot said. "His grumpy character may appear a liability to his image for many voters, but for his supporters it is his strength."

 

'UNCLE TU'

Prayuth was born in 1954 to a military family in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, and his military career was forged during a turbulent period.

 

He was in pre-cadet school in 1973 when student protests brought down a military regime, ushering in democratic rule.

 

Three years later, he was at the prestigious Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy when right-wing mobs massacred dozens of left-leaning student protesters leading to another military takeover.

 

Prayuth rose in the ranks to become army chief, and in 2014 staged Thailand's 13th successful military coup. His reputation for testiness came almost immediately.

 

There are also more eccentric moments that endear Prayuth, known by his nickname "Uncle Tu", to his supporters, like his ballads and when he kissed a frog in 2017.

 

"It's like he has two personalities," said Wassana Nanuam, a veteran journalist who has followed Prayuth's career since 2003.

 

"He also knows how to use humour which people know isn't fake."

 

Prayuth, whose office did not respond to requests for an interview, spends most of his private time with his wife and twin daughters, in their 30s, at his home at a military base.

 

One leisure activity he has had to give up is riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle.

 

"Sometimes he just starts his Harley up at home because he can't go out. He hasn't been able to ride outside since he became army chief, because he would require security to follow him," said government spokesman Lieutenant General Werachon Sukhondhapatipak.

 

After nearly five years in power, Prayuth is not acting like a man ready to ride into the sunset.

 

"I am a soldier, so if you criticise me a lot I will get angry," Prayuth told reporters in November.

 

"But I have to adjust myself now because I have to be patient to be a politician."

 

(Editing by Kay Johnson, Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-02-06

[Thaiwrath]

33 minutes ago, webfact said:

"Prayuth has been doing well for the elite, big businesses and royalist allies,"

i.e. the vast minority of the country numbers wise, but, unfortunately, the ones with the most clout.  

Edited February 5, 2019 by Thaiwrath

[Samui Bodoh]

What a bunch of nonsense.

 

The simple fact is that if there were free and fair elections in Thailand, Thaksin and/or his representatives (whether you like them or not) would win hands down.

 

The only reason that Prayut and his representatives are in the running is because they cheat; 

 

They are cheating cheaters who cheat.

 

I know it. You know it. They know it. All of Thailand knows it. Anyone who ever paid the slightest attention to Thailand knows it. My bloody cat knows it!

 

I wish this idiotic 'will he or won't he' crap would stop; he wants power, but is too cowardly to run honourably or fairly.

 

End of story.

 

 

Edited February 5, 2019 by Samui Bodoh

[colinneil]

I am a soldier if you criticize me a lot i will get angry.

That statement sums up the man child perfectly, petulant/ arrogant/ spoilt little child.

[davehowden]

4 minutes ago, colinneil said:

I am a soldier if you criticize me a lot i will get angry.

That statement sums up the man child perfectly, petulant/ arrogant/ spoilt little child.

Hey, that reminds me of another "leader", 555.

[YetAnother]

26 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thai junta chief Prayuth Chan-ocha is known for losing his temper in public, but recently he has displayed a softer side

military general , used to having his way, uses section 44 indiscriminately, loses his temper, hates the media; on the odd occasion is the nice guy; precious little good track record in 5 years; want him and his cronies as ministers to lead going forward ?

[bluesofa]

42 minutes ago, webfact said:

"Prayuth needs people to love him now because to win an election you cannot use fear," Prajak said. "He knows he cannot be a dictator forever."

Odd, I always had the impression Prayut thought he was immortal.

[z42]

Mulls it, how many mobile cabinet meetings has he been on now? And that ghastly charade in the Buriram football stadium, what the <deleted> was that if it was not a pitch for a long lasting political career, smh.

[sammieuk1]

Looks like the farmer is pointing out were in this shit because of you and your not walking on water???? 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

he may run for office in the first elections since the army seized power in 2014.

Mulls...May... what a croc. It has always been his intention to hold on to power hence the rigged, far from free and with complete abscence of internatioal scrutiny, election.????

[Chassa]

The Picture says it all, he couldn't give a flying..........

[owl sees all]

I guess the one positive thing Thailand can take from all this is that if Chan-o-cha does become PM it will delay the next coup.

[Lupatria]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The general-turned-prime minister has appeared on state television cooking a chicken curry for villagers and riding a tractor with farmers.

[Hayduke]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"Don't let anyone destroy things like in the past ... Hold our hands sincerely and go forward together," goes the song, which was written by the 64-year-old leader himself.

 

Meanwhile, back at Government House....

 

[yellowboat]

Come Friday, he will not surprise anyone.  And there is a good chance the country will be stuck with him like a bad rash.  Many expats are being forced to leave anyway, so him staying and the potentiality of things getting worse,  it might be the writing on the wall.

[Nyezhov]

He jumped out of the Giant golf Cart in Chinatown last night whilst being in the Royal entourage and got a whole bunch of cheers and applause from the crowd. 

 

Just an observation, I care one not one whit who runs this country. Their country, their politics, I save the angst for my own nation. As far as Thailand goes,  as long as it works for me Ill keep coming back and if it doesnt, then there is somewhere else. 

Edited February 6, 2019 by Nyezhov

[Thailand]

i can't read and I can't write but I can drive a tractor.

I can turn left I can turn right etc!

[Eligius]

23 minutes ago, Thailand said:

i can't read and I can't write but I can drive a tractor.

I can turn left I can turn right etc!

Yes, Thailand (above) - but we would like to hear your comments on the FARMER (not his passenger)!!!!

[colinneil]

5 minutes ago, Eligius said:

Yes, Thailand (above) - but we would like to hear your comments on the FARMER (not his passenger)!!!!

The farmer was thinking, if i open it up a bit and swing right maybe the plonker will fall face first in the mud.

[mickymouse1]

Really????

[klauskunkel]

Quote

"Sometimes he just starts his Harley up at home because he can't go out. He hasn't been able to ride outside since he became army chief, because he would require security to follow him," said government spokesman

"And then he just sits on it with longing in his eyes. He sacrificed so much for the Nation and the people don't know about it..." the spokesman swallows a lump in his throat and wipes away a single tear. "He truly is a heavenly gift to our country!"

[connda]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

From coup-maker to candidate? Thai junta chief mulls election run

Mulls?  Get real. 

[connda]

25 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

"And then he just sits on it with longing in his eyes. He sacrificed so much for the Nation and the people don't know about it..." the spokesman swallows a lump in his throat and wipes away a single tear. "He truly is a heavenly gift to our country!"

"Sniff, sniff."  <breaks out hanky, blows, wipes tears, hums Chart Thai to self>

[holy cow cm]

Such an unhappy angry pose. The farmer is trying to tell him something (turn left) but he looks up and seems to ignore him by not giving any eye contact. Now there is a pic of self higher importance. He wants a statue. 

[neeray]

That’s a “walk-behind” in the picture, not a tractor. But the body language says he doesn’t give a frig anyway. 

It’s just a picture op. 

[Eligius]

The level of inanity, puerile propaganda and sheer insult - on a cosmic scale - to the intelligence (of everyone over the age of 12) contained in this article requires no further comment from me ...

[Jonah Tenner]

7 hours ago, owl sees all said:

I guess the one positive thing Thailand can take from all this is that if Chan-o-cha does become PM it will delay the next coup.

Maybe, but don't count on it...

 

[Eric Loh]

No coup leader in the history of Thailand has ever do well in a democratic election and Prayut will not change that trend. In fact he know full well that his military parties will flopped badly and by Friday he will not make the party decision and will give his usual bs excuse. Thailand is better off without him. Thailand already lost 5 years and can’t afford another 4 years of him. Bye and good riddance. 

[Denim]

From Coup Maker to Candidate and if all his fixes still don't work  back to coup maker again.