Rumbling undercurrent unsettles Prayut despite censure win

[webfact]

Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha talks to reporters at parliament after a confidence vote on himself and five members of his Cabinet in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Sompong Sonnak)

 

By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha managed to survive his third no-confidence vote, but a brewing storm in the ruling party is now undermining his once solid position.

 

For analysts, recent developments also point to an uncertain political future for the “3P group” of former Army chiefs, namely Gen Prayut, Deputy Premier Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, and Interior Minister Gen Anupong Paochinda.

 

Before the censure debate began, Prayut appeared to feel insecure when he asked Prawit, leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath, about a rumor that many party MPs were planning to deny him their vote. “Why aren’t those MPs supporting me? What did I do wrong? I am working so hard,” the PM reportedly wrote in a text message.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/rumbling-undercurrent-unsettles-prayut-despite-censure-win/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2021-09-06

 

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[Havenstreet1940]

Well Done General

[mtls2005]

A lot of uncertainty, without which he'd resign already and move on to the Privy Council, which he has longed for.

 

Normally they'd just find a new jockey, but the horse is three steps from the glue factory.

 

They built a faux-democacy to repel all forms of populism, but in doing so built an elaborate castle with no foundation.

 

Another coup, a self-coup (not unheard of in Thailand's history) seems likely. Forcing another three to five year "re-set", with the current charter being further modified.

 

 

 

 

Edited September 6, 2021 by mtls2005

[RotBenz8888]

54 minutes ago, webfact said:

What did I do wrong?

He must have been in a good mood, joking an all. 

[Changoverandout]

OOCha, shaking and stirred

[Paul Henry]

Working hard does not mean getting results! Old saying but true "50 years experience or 1 years experience 50 times" With the PM I think the latter applies.

[Rampant Rabbit]

2 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

built an elaborate castle with no foundation.

[RichardColeman]

2 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

They built a faux-democacy to repel all forms of populism, but in doing so built an elaborate castle with no foundation.

I agree, after the world seeing the populace on the streets, if they win another 'election' then the freedom and democracy index movement will only be downwards

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Before the censure debate began, Prayut appeared to feel insecure when he asked Prawit, leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath, about a rumor that many party MPs were planning to deny him their vote. “Why aren’t those MPs supporting me? What did I do wrong? I am working so hard,” the PM reportedly wrote in a text message

Maybe he should learn that you earn support, not demand it.

[BusyB]

1 hour ago, Paul Henry said:

Working hard does not mean getting results! Old saying but true "50 years experience or 1 years experience 50 times" With the PM I think the latter applies.

The most damning of all references: He tried hard.

[DaveSamutP]

4 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

A lot of uncertainty, without which he'd resign already and move on to the Privy Council, which he has longed for.

 

Normally they'd just find a new jockey, but the horse is three steps from the glue factory.

 

They built a faux-democacy to repel all forms of populism, but in doing so built an elaborate castle with no foundation.

 

Another coup, a self-coup (not unheard of in Thailand's history) seems likely. Forcing another three to five year "re-set", with the current charter being further modified.

It may sound harsh, but looking at their history, there is a strong argument that Thai society is simply not ready for any democracy. Perhaps they should just stop pretending and get on with something that works - maybe like the Singapore psuedo-democracy model.

[Will B Good]

I fear people could rue the day he is unseated and (God forbid) Thamanat steps up to the plate.

[Scott Tracy]

23 minutes ago, DaveSamutP said:

It may sound harsh, but looking at their history, there is a strong argument that Thai society is simply not ready for any democracy. Perhaps they should just stop pretending and get on with something that works - maybe like the Singapore psuedo-democracy model.

Not being ready or willing for a 'democracy' of whatever shape of size they come in would certainly account for the number of successful coups over the years... Perhaps the Singapore model is the way to go. Benevolent dictatorship. Oh, wait....

It would help if the coup leaders were trained in how to run a country next time. Perhaps add it to army training.

 

[Almer]

2 hours ago, Paul Henry said:

Working hard does not mean getting results! Old saying but true "50 years experience or 1 years experience 50 times" With the PM I think the latter applies.

Another saying, "you can be a busy fool"

[DaveSamutP]

2 minutes ago, Scott Tracy said:

Not being ready or willing for a 'democracy' of whatever shape of size they come in would certainly account for the number of successful coups over the years... Perhaps the Singapore model is the way to go. Benevolent dictatorship. Oh, wait....

It would help if the coup leaders were trained in how to run a country next time. Perhaps add it to army training.

 

Great reply. Yes, would be great to add it to the Army curriculum. 

 

How to run a country 101

[Aussieroaming]

What Prayut really sent in the text was "why aren't those MP's supporting me, I have paid for it".

[zzaa09]

6 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

A lot of uncertainty, without which he'd resign already and move on to the Privy Council, which he has longed for.

 

Normally they'd just find a new jockey, but the horse is three steps from the glue factory.

 

They built a faux-democacy to repel all forms of populism, but in doing so built an elaborate castle with no foundation.

 

Another coup, a self-coup (not unheard of in Thailand's history) seems likely. Forcing another three to five year "re-set", with the current charter being further modified.

 

 

 

 

Well constructed. Speaking of the Privy Council, we certainly shouldn't forget his related roots/background and deeper relationships with particular influential circles. He wasn't selected for this role because he was just another pretty face.

[zzaa09]

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

I fear people could rue the day he is unseated and (God forbid) Thamanat steps up to the plate.

Different players. Same theatre.

[skorp13]

The whole procedure and vote was nothing more than a dog and pony appeasement show. I highly doubt there's anyone that would have bet on a different outcome

[zzaa09]

16 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

I agree, after the world seeing the populace on the streets, if they win another 'election' then the freedom and democracy index movement will only be downwards

Elections?

What elections?

[Tarteso]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

I am working so hard,”

Millions of citizens ... They have lost their jobs, they can't work ..????

[mikebell]

20 hours ago, webfact said:

the PM reportedly wrote in a text message.

To whom? How was it made public?

[zzaa09]

12 minutes ago, mikebell said:

To whom? How was it made public?

Does it really matter if it was or not?

[sammieuk1]

Taxi for the general! suggest now before they order you a wooden one ????

[spidermike007]

 “Why aren’t those MPs supporting me? What did I do wrong? I am working so hard,” the PM reportedly wrote in a text message.

 

Huh? Is this overly rich, self entitled, Ivory tower fool really this out of touch? Is that possible? Talk about unrepentant. 

 

He or his policies, (or his lack of policies) have sabotaged tourism, decimated the economy, dramatically increased homelessness, put millions out of work, taken away press freedoms, taken away the right to protest under draconian Covid laws, dramatically increased suicide rates, failed miserably with the vaccinations, set the nation back a decade or two, shrunk the economy, collapsed the real estate market, shuttered countless small businesses and taken away the happiness of the people. He will blame it all on Covid. And part of this is due to Covid. But, much pain could have been avoided had he acted like a leader. 

 

And he does not know why he is the most despised man in Thailand? Really? 

Edited September 7, 2021 by spidermike007

[newnative]

     Supposedly 'working so hard'.  But, accomplishing so very little--and not just with the vaccine program.  With everything.  Glittering generalities and platitudes just aren't cutting it.  He's totally bankrupt of any ideas to move the country forward--and I think that is what is fueling the 'rumbling undercurrent'.  

[zzaa09]

7 minutes ago, newnative said:

     Supposedly 'working so hard'.  But, accomplishing so very little--and not just with the vaccine program.  With everything.  Glittering generalities and platitudes just aren't cutting it.  He's totally bankrupt of any ideas to move the country forward--and I think that is what is fueling the 'rumbling undercurrent'.  

Yet, surely he will have specialists and experts in their respective fields to advise and counsel, yes? ????

Edited September 7, 2021 by zzaa09

[metisdead]

Please use discretion in your references to the government.  Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

[Artisi]

16 hours ago, DaveSamutP said:

Great reply. Yes, would be great to add it to the Army curriculum. 

 

How to run a country 101

Unfortunately wouldn't work, how many coup have they been involved with to this point?  Seems they haven't learnt 1 thing to date and as first hand experience beats theory everytime, any course would be a complete time waster - although they have plenty to waste. 

[zzaa09]

4 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Unfortunately wouldn't work, how many coup have they been involved with to this point?  Seems they haven't learnt 1 thing to date and as first hand experience beats theory everytime, any course would be a complete time waster - although they have plenty to waste. 

Did anyone really think there would be anything some seven years ago?