PM has challenge on his hands to win public trust

[webfact]

PM has challenge on his hands to win public trust

By KAS CHANWANPEN 
THE NATION

 

 

Experts believe parliamentary opposition won’t deter Prayut; Democrat leader Jurin stays away from premier’s royal endorsement ceremony.

 

GENERAL PRAYUT Chan-o-cha yesterday received royal endorsement as the new prime minister in a ceremony at Government House six days after winning a vote in Parliament, but there are no final deals yet on the allocation of Cabinet portfolios.

 

The ceremony was attended by the leaders of the pro-junta coalition, led by Phalang Pracharat leader Uttama Savanayana who congratulated Prayut after the royal endorsement reception yesterday.

 

 

Among senior leaders present at the ceremony yesterday were Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul and Chartthaipattana core leader Varawut Silpa-archa. However, Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit, whose party members have expressed their discomfort at joining the pro-military allies, was conspicuous by his absence.

 

The Democrat Party, which saw a split over the decision to join the Phalang Pracharat-led coalition, was represented by secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on.

 

After receiving the endorsement, Prayut expressed his gratitude to His Majesty the King and promised to maintain high ethical standards and work to serve the public following the intention of the monarch.

 

 

Prayut also thanked Parliament, whose 250 senators he had handpicked to secure his position, and the public for their support.

 

Meanwhile, the general said yesterday that the issue of portfolios had not been discussed yet but he reiterated that he would have the final say on the composition of his Cabinet. It was only his first day as prime minister of the new regime, he added.

 

Earlier yesterday, at a weekly press briefing, Prayut said the discussions on ministerial positions must take into account the appropriateness of the candidates as well as public interest.

 

“Now we are the elected government, with elected MPs from different parties. We are the government of all Thai people. The policies to be implemented must match the budget in the best interest of the public,” Prayut said. “It will be decided soon.”

 

Responding to concerns about the impact of Article 44 on different issues, Prayut told the public not to be worried, saying everything would be sorted out before the new government takes office.

 

Until the new government was sworn in, the acting government would have full authority to carry out the work, Prayut said. 

 

Prayut’s continuation in power has drawn mixed reactions. 

 

Some see the new government as struggling in Parliament because of strong opposition while others believe it would manage to survive.

 

Political scientist Sirote Klampaiboon told The Nation yesterday that parliamentary politics may not be able to do much damage to the inexperienced general. The expert said Prayut could just ignore Parliament altogether. 

 

“Prayut won’t even have to handle Parliament,” Sirote said, referring to the notion that the general would be beaten in the Lower House. “What I think we will see is parliamentary dictatorship with backing also from the Army.”

 

 

Not only does Prayut have the majority of MPs under his control in the chamber but he also has good connections with the Army leader, the expert explained.

 

The opposition, which many people believed could grill Prayut in the house, may not be able to do much, Sirote said.

 

For one thing, the censure motion could only come once a year, he added. On top of that, the Army’s interference and pressure would make it difficult for the opposition to scrutinise Prayut’s administration, Sirote explained.

 

The major challenge facing Prayut is in building trust with the public, he said.

 

“Prayut has to create a government that looks inclusive in the eyes of the public,” he said. “Right now, we only have people from the [anti-Shinawatra] side in it, such as Nattapol Teepsuwan and Puttipong Punnakanta. Also, the government has to prove itself better than its predecessor. Solve the bread and butter issue.”

 

Another political scientist, Attasit Pankaew from Thammasat University, also believes that Prayut’s administration would find public opinion more difficult to handle than parliamentary politics.

 

Attasit said the new government would have no honeymoon period. People expect to see economic issues being resolved in the next three to six months, he added.

 

How long the government would last would depend largely on its performance and what the public thought of it, the expert said.

 

Attasit, too, thinks Prayut can easily dodge encounters with the opposition. A motion of no confidence can only be brought once a year, he noted. 

 

Other than that, the National Legislative Assembly had already passed more than 500 pieces of legislation under the junta rule, which should be sufficient for this administration, the political scientist said. 

 

The only thing Prayut may have to worry about is the national budget bill, he added. But still, he said, Prayut already had a majority of MPs on his side and the margin could widen if the Election Commission decides to disqualify more opposition MPs or have election reruns, he said.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30370922

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-06-12

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[Thaiwrath]

24 minutes ago, webfact said:

“Now we are the elected government, with elected MPs from different parties. We are the government of all Thai people."

He still believes that he won this fairly, without a hint of gerrymandering, and he expects "all Thai people" to believe it too. Where I come from, that would be defined as "delusional".  

Edited June 11, 2019 by Thaiwrath

[Reigntax]

Prayuths problems are that he is a liar and a criminal and other than for 44 he would be jail for the rest of His life.

 

On a brighter side he has the full support of Steven100 no matter what he does.

[Chang_paarp]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Not only does Prayut have the majority of MPs under his control in the chamber but he also has good connections with the Army leader, the expert explained.

 

Maybe a week ago., he had the numbers in parliament.

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

For one thing, the censure motion could only come once a year, he added. On top of that, the Army’s interference and pressure would make it difficult for the opposition to scrutinise Prayut’s administration, Sirote explained.

 

That is new information. is it in the constitution? Or some "created" house rules?

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

 

The major challenge facing Prayut is in building trust with the public, he said.

 

Yes that is one challenge he will face but I'm not sure he actually cares.

[sjaak327]

Winning a vote... He forced that vote down everyone's throat. He cheated using the EC and had 250 appointed senators. Once a dictator, always a dictator. Stop sweet talking

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk

[sjaak327]

Yes that is one challenge he will face but I'm not sure he actually cares.

The public? The people he stepped on five years ago! When does this charade stop? Utter bullshit

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk

[colinneil]

Thailand same as the UK, both countries have MPs who betrayed the people.

[YetAnother]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The major challenge facing Prayut is in building trust with the public, he said.

and the thai public seems comprised mainly of simpletons given that they cannot see all the manipulations by ,effectively, the military and why that regresses thailand

[Oziex1]

As far as handing out the portfolios goes the minor members of the coalition will now find out where they really stand. Thanks for the votes now sit down and remain silent. 

[colinneil]

Nice photos in white uniforms, but wheres Ole Fatty?

[PatOngo]

11 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Nice photos in white uniforms, but wheres Ole Fatty?

I think he took time out to give an inspirational talk to the national women's football team...they got beaten 13 - 0!

[Lungstib]

Surrounded by sycophantic yes men he hears what he wants and cares little for the desires of the dirty unwashed who keep the country running with their toil. There is no indication he is listening to the public, just commanding and ordering as usual. It will be interesting to see if he regularly attends parliament or just distances himself from that chore.

Edited June 11, 2019 by Lungstib
addition

[Wiggy]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Now we are the elected government

????????????????

[Aussieroaming]

Thieving cooont stole the country again

[neeray]

43 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Nice photos in white uniforms, but wheres Ole Fatty?

He was having a CRS moment and forgot about the photo op.

[neeray]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

“What I think we will see is parliamentary dictatorship with backing also from the Army.”

"Parliamentary dictatorship" ....... Hmm. yes, very apt description. I think I can get my head around that quite easily.

[Hayduke]

PM has challenge on his hands to win public trust...

 

Challenge? What Challenge? Everyone knows the Supreme Dear Leader (who maintains the highest ethical standards) is loved, adored, trusted and worshiped by more than 120% of the Thai people. Just ask him....

 

 

 

 

Edited June 12, 2019 by Hayduke

[yellowboat]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit, whose party members have expressed their discomfort at joining the pro-military allies, was conspicuous by his absence. 

Discomfort should be total revulsion.  They are and always have been democratic in name only,  A complete farce of a party,

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The only thing Prayut may have to worry about is the national budget bill, he added. But still, he said, Prayut already had a majority of MPs on his side and the margin could widen if the Election Commission decides to disqualify more opposition MPs or have election reruns, he said.

WHEN the Election Commission decides to disqualify more opposition MPs

[sammieuk1]

Looks like even the doorway in photo one has been modelled on him????

[stanleycoin]

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

Nice photos in white uniforms, but wheres Ole Fatty?

Think he was away shopping at Rolex. 

[whaleboneman]

Do the black armbands signal the death of democracy?

[outsider]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The major challenge facing Prayut is in building trust with the public

 

He won't be bothered. Everybody must trust him, and that's that. The farce of an election aside, what is more astounding is the straight and smiling face he has about him, looking like he won it fair and square.

[MikeandDow]

Question :    why is fatty still defense Minister he has Not been elected nor a MP, so in reality anybody who is Prayut's buddy can be a Minister is that how it works ??? so why spend money having an election  never heard of this before in any democratic country,  

[HHTel]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

“What I think we will see is parliamentary dictatorship with backing also from the Army.”

So no change!

[blazes]

Nice white (virginal?) uniforms for all the lads.  Not a woman in sight.

 

Does misogyny appear alive and well in the new "democratic" Thailand?

[kcpattaya]

Soldiers don't wear camouflage uniforms anymore?

 

[Lenny Jones]

3 hours ago, sjaak327 said:

Winning a vote... He forced that vote down everyone's throat. He cheated using the EC and had 250 appointed senators. Once a dictator, always a dictator. Stop sweet talking

Sent from my SM-J730F using Tapatalk
 

It doesn't matter what he or anyone else calls it - - - - Thailand is now in the firm grip of a military dictatorship - - - and will be for a log time - - - -

[Eric Loh]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The only thing Prayut may have to worry about is the national budget bill,

I see budget impasse can possibly force an election. If some of the disgruntled Dem MPs and renegade PPRP MPs don't toe party line, the narrow lower house advantage will be wipe out. If the budget hit a brick wall, the government will have no choice but hold election. The EC attempt to disqualify opposition MPs may come too late. 

[holy cow cm]

Of course he will try to rule the senators, but anarchy may just set in to where he will lose his temper and might have to react in the beasty mode the way he is used to behaving as. He can't stand anyone who looks him eye to eye and does not cower or bow to him.

[BigC]

I don't  understand  why he ran for PM

 

I am sure that it is clear in the new constitution  that  the army shall be watching  politicians  closely and have more power than the PM

 

He would  have had an easiwr job letting  someone else run the country  and making sure the new PM behaves

 

But not my place to speak