Thai junta chief vows to "do his best" as civilian PM

[CGW]

42 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

So many on TV just don't seem to get it.  Apart from a few 'educated' people around the cities, the vast majority of the population don't give a toss who the PM is.  They may  give a grimacing smile, make a few remarks under their breath, but they just don't care enough to get worked up about it all.  So neither should temporary residents and visitors on TV.   

The folks up here where I live in Isaan are not very happy with there new PM - surprisingly - the few I talk too are being quite vocal about it, which is unusual, as "they" have spent the last four years guaranteeing "they" won! looks like "they" will be in power for a long time to come as they are not going to allow "others" to change the constitution - again!

[thaiguzzi]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

However, the Election Commission later announced a change in a seat-allocation formula that gave 10 small parties one seat each, mostly at the expense of Thanathorn's Future Forward Party. The 10 small parties joined Prayuth's alliance.

Mmm, is that not outright defamation calling the EC an "Election Commission"?

I mean, should'nt they actually be called the "Junta's Lackeys", or spineless corrupt criminals and traitors?

In the new world, one day in the future, should'nt these corrupt scumbags just be lined up against a wall and be shot?

[Orton Rd]

39 minutes ago, CGW said:

The folks up here where I live in Isaan are not very happy with there new PM - surprisingly - the few I talk too are being quite vocal about it, which is unusual, as "they" have spent the last four years guaranteeing "they" won! looks like "they" will be in power for a long time to come as they are not going to allow "others" to change the constitution - again!

I was in Issan last week, they seemed too busy spending their 300 govt vouchers in the shop they have to spend it in to be bothered about who was giving them the handouts, and why.

[connda]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai junta chief vows to "do his best" as civilian PM

Lol  ????

[madmitch]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

do his best for the nation, religion, monarchy, and the people

In that order, probably, the nation referring to the protection of the nation, i.e. the military. And the people come last!

Edited June 6, 2019 by madmitch

[Pilotman]

1 hour ago, bluesofa said:

I take your point, I really do. But my brain doesn't work in Thai mode, even though I've been here 'temporarily' for twenty years.

 

Me too , but I do try, as I'm sure do you. You can never entirely leave your Western head in the West. 

[trainman34014]

1 hour ago, Pilotman said:

So many on TV just don't seem to get it.  Apart from a few 'educated' people around the cities, the vast majority of the population don't give a toss who the PM is.  They may  give a grimacing smile, make a few remarks under their breath, but they just don't care enough to get worked up about it all.  So neither should temporary residents and visitors on TV.   

You are wrong, we have Middle Class (not highly educated)Thai friends and many are appalled at how the whole thing has been rigged.   One even rang my wife this morning to say how she and her Husband couldn't sleep last night because they are so upset and ashamed at what has happened since the so called 'Election'.   They know that short of an all out Civil War nothing is going to change the corrupt systems in this country but at over 70 years old how can they expect to do much about anything if they just want a peaceful life ?

[trainman34014]

He will do his best for who he considers to be the 'right people' !

[Pilotman]

5 minutes ago, trainman34014 said:

You are wrong, we have Middle Class (not highly educated)Thai friends and many are appalled at how the whole thing has been rigged.   One even rang my wife this morning to say how she and her Husband couldn't sleep last night because they are so upset and ashamed at what has happened since the so called 'Election'.   They know that short of an all out Civil War nothing is going to change the corrupt systems in this country but at over 70 years old how can they expect to do much about anything if they just want a peaceful life ?

That's why I said 'the vast majority' and not 'all Thais'. 

[Eligius]

The junta party spokesman said that the Opposition should work constructively in parliament ' rather than engage in verbal attack on General Prayuth '.

 

This is the first sign of what is to come. New parliamentary 'rules' will magically be introduced or invoked or old rules will be re-interpreted to forbid any harsh truthful speech against Prayut. After all, that would be 'hate speech', wouldnt it? Can't have any of that!

 

And 'hate speech' is, after all, all too often merely truthful speech that is hateful to certain powerful cliques!

 

Edited June 6, 2019 by Eligius

[Puchaiyank]

I give him 6 months before declaring marshall law...reinstating article 44...crushing dissent...and firing all the elected officials...

[Eric Loh]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai junta chief vows to "do his best"

Nothing to show after 5 years with all the power in his grasp. His best will fall flat on his face when the reality of a slim majority in Parliament kicks in. Talking up wouldn't help much and we don't trust him with vows. 

[Pilotman]

1 hour ago, Orton Rd said:

I was in Issan last week, they seemed too busy spending their 300 govt vouchers in the shop they have to spend it in to be bothered about who was giving them the handouts, and why.

which is why Thaksin, corrupt as he was, did so well among the poor up there. 

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Economic woes face Thailand's junta chief turned civilian PM

By Orathai Sriring and Satawasin Staporncharnchai

 

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha speaks to media members at the Government House in Bangkok, Thailand June 6, 2019. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's junta chief-turned-civilian prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha faces a tough task in reviving a faltering economy and sinking investor confidence - the same problems as when he seized power in a military coup five years ago.

 

Prayuth was confirmed as prime minister by parliament on Wednesday but he will be leading a fragile 19-party coalition with only a four-seat majority in the House of Representatives. That raises concerns about passing legislation and the budget that could disrupt public spending on much-needed larger investment projects and keep investors away.

 

"This scenario appears vulnerable to the risk of a weak and short-lived government...thus, causing a risk of policy discontinuity," said Charnon Boonnuch, economist at Nomura in Singapore. "Political uncertainty will remain high and continue to weigh on the growth outlook."

 

Investors have been worried about political risk since no clear winner emerged from Thailand's March 24 general election.

 

Southeast Asia's second-largest economy grew 2.8% in the first quarter from a year earlier, the weakest since 2014, as public investment, exports and tourism slowed amid rising global trade tensions and political risks at home.

 

Political uncertainty has affected private sector sentiment and dampened prospects for public spending this year, said Sarun Sunansathaporn, economist of Bank of Ayudhya, who slashed his 2019 economic growth forecast to 3.2% from 3.8%.

 

Growth was 4.1% in 2018, the fastest in six years, but still lagged the Philippines' 6.2% and Indonesia's 5.17%.

 

The central bank said last month that heightened political uncertainties have clouded the outlook for economic policy. It is expected to cut its growth forecast - currently at 3.8% - for a third time in six months later this month.

 

Thailand's state planning agency said the fiscal 2020 budget will be delayed by 2-4 months, adding to the problems of already slow public spending and thus holding back private investment. Listed firms' free cashflow - cash that is yet to be invested - are at 10-year highs of about 250 billion baht ($7.9 billion), said Naris Sathapholdeja, head of TMB Analytics.

 

Initiatives such as the ambitious $45 billion Eastern Economic Corridor project to draw investment into the country's industrial east could be delayed if the coalition is unable to work together and the budget is gridlocked.

 

STABILITY IN QUESTION

 

The junta has taken some cautious steps to lift growth, largely through short-term economic measures and subsidies for low-income earners, analysts said, but more action is needed beyond simply staying on the same course.

 

"If we want the economy to grow 3.5% this year, the new government will need additional stimulus measures worth 30 billion baht to 50 billion baht," said Thanavath Phonvichai, an economics professor at the University of the Thai

Chamber of Commerce.

 

Although the new government is expected to introduce economic measures to boost consumption, its instability will continue to weigh on market sentiment, said Saharat Chudsuwan, head of marketing and wealth advisory of Tisco Asset Management.

 

"Everyone believes the government may not be stable. If the stock market ever rises because of the election, it may not go very far," he said. The Thai stock market has risen about 5% this year, driven by recent foreign fund inflows across the region, but still trailing the Philippines and Vietnam.

 

Industry still hopes for some stability, as business sentiment was at a 3-month low in April while consumer confidence hit its lowest in 19 months in May.

 

"We want a new government to be formed quickly and to be stable," said Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries.

 

"If the government is stable, investment will improve and foreign trade negotiations will be more credible," he said.

 

(Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-06-06

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[Myran]

Hardy ideal, but I'd take him before any clown from Pheu Thai any day of the week. And I doubt Thanathorn would've been much better. It's all smoke and mirrors.

[ChrisY1]

4 hours ago, BobBKK said:

Time for another song?  song of betrayal   

I'm sure there will be plenty of songs very soon......this guy thinks he's Ed Sheeran!

[taichiplanet]

military coup anyone?

[billd766]

33 minutes ago, Myran said:

Hardy ideal, but I'd take him before any clown from Pheu Thai any day of the week. And I doubt Thanathorn would've been much better. It's all smoke and mirrors.

And you condone military coups, giving themselves an amnesty for ALL past, present and future acts, tearing up the constitution and rewriting it (over a period of years) in their favour, handpicking the senate and rigging the election that they almost lost even then

 

You have had 5 years of their work as an example yet you doubt Thanathorn could do any better. Thanathorn was NEVER given a chance, and both he and the FFB strike terror into the hearts of the government, because they are young and want to change the corrupt system that it is now into something that answers to the people that vote.

 

Even Thaksin at his worst didn't do anything like the current government has done.

[baboon]

46 minutes ago, Myran said:

Hardy ideal, but I'd take him before any clown from Pheu Thai any day of the week. And I doubt Thanathorn would've been much better. It's all smoke and mirrors.

Which is just as well, because there isn't any other choice. There has been no other choice since 2014.

[lespaulTV]

Joke country. its like rape victim get married to her rapist!

[Reigntax]

Prayuth's best is hardly inspiring, except for Steven

[ChrisY1]

14 hours ago, Puchaiyank said:

I give him 6 months before declaring marshall law...reinstating article 44...crushing dissent...and firing all the elected officials...

Wasn't aware that Article 44 has been scrapped......

[Puchaiyank]

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

Wasn't aware that Article 44 has been scrapped......

It has not been enforced due to the elections...thus bad press for PM has flourished...for how much longer?

Edited June 7, 2019 by Puchaiyank

[Grusa]

Please just let the baht collapse...........

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, ChrisY1 said:

Wasn't aware that Article 44 has been scrapped......

Technically it hasn't.

NCPO will be dissolved once the new government (the Executive Branch - PM and Cabinet) is officially endorsed/installed.

However, Prayut's rubber stamp NLA has been for the last several months passing NCPO Orders into laws. So in essence Article 44 remains in "spirit."

Note that as PM Prayut can also invoke a State of Emergency (as did PM Abhisit in 2010) that waives due process of law and allows the Army to supplement the police in law enforcement actions.

[Srikcir]

19 hours ago, Jip99 said:

He also knows it only takes a moment to arrange another coup - should it become necessary.

Particularly if Prayut leads the coup again to dissolve the House, reinstate the Interim Charter, and bring charges against all his political enemies.

[billd766]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

Particularly if Prayut leads the coup again to dissolve the House, reinstate the Interim Charter, and bring charges against all his political enemies.

I think that the next coup is already planned and is standby waiting for the trigger date.

[Jip99]

4 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Particularly if Prayut leads the coup again to dissolve the House, reinstate the Interim Charter, and bring charges against all his political enemies.

 

Quite a strong position by the sounds it.

 

Hun Sen must me almost envious..

[Benmart]

The temporary nature of despots makes them all the more greedy to accumulate wealth and power. In the end, the bright shiny objects cannot purchase one second more of the breath of life. Then, they are gone, their statues torn down and their likenesses removed. The replacement steps forward.

[chainarong]

Not sure if Prayut will ever over come the tardy image he's set so far, one thing I note, he puts the people last on the list as doing the best for the country, I'd drop the other junk and concentrate on doing the best for his people.