Bad week on the campaign trail for General Prayut as a lack of public enthusiasm makes itself known

[webfact]

(Left) Scenes from the chaotic rally in Ratchaburi on Monday morning last as police and security personnel moved in and subdued several female protesters who were manhandled with one woman having her mouth covered to stop her from speaking (see video). (Right) Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha faced a more than half-empty auditorium in Chiang Mai on Friday with officials busily removing most of the 6,000 seats laid out for local officials who were invited to attend the event en masse.

 

by James Morris and Son Nguyen

Videos that have gone viral show two women in Ratchaburi province this week being manhandled by police and security officials at a rally for General Prayut, have drawn stinging public criticism online and from the main opposition Pheu Thai Party.

 

In the aftermath of the incident last Monday, General Prayut, while denying he was angry, upbraided the media posse telling them it was wrong that what happened with three protesters should distort the perception of a campaign event attended by tens of thousands of people in support of the prime minister.

It has been a bruising week for Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan ocha on the unofficial campaign trail as he is understood to have already approved the dissolution of parliament next week giving the green light to a General Election in May. On Friday, he was greeted with a more than half-empty auditorium in Chiang Mai after local officials failed to turn up en masse and it was confirmed that his Minister of Justice, Somsak Thepsutin, sensing which way the wind is blowing, is to resign from the government to join the rampant Pheu Thai Party which looks like it is on course for a landslide election win in two months time.

 

Earlier in the week, the Prime Minister also faced controversy when police and security officials were seen on photos and videos physically manhandling female protesters at a campaign rally in Ratchaburi, in western Thailand, sending the wrong campaign message. 

Full story: https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2023/03/17/bad-week-on-the-campaign-trail-for-prayut/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Examiner 2023-03-18

 

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[ozz1]

He is not liked as much as he thinks especially in issan most people don't like him maybe he will take the hint but I doubt that

[ikke1959]

What I hear in my neighbourhood from Thai people that they are very bored of Mr Prayuth and hope he will disappear as soon as possible..And I can't agree more with them, but I am not allowed to vote

[zzaa09]

Him, and his crew, have grown weary. 

Though, they don't appear to be taking notice. 

 

The illusion[s] are still amongst us. 

[stoner]

anyone see the campaign posters around bkk ? the one with him pointing at you like you better or else....

[redwood1]

It sounds like its about time to get some re-education camps going....To re-educate some non-supporters...

[brianthainess]

19 minutes ago, ozz1 said:

He is not liked as much as he thinks especially in issan most people don't like him maybe he will take the hint but I doubt that

He has Never been liked by at least 70% of the population. Narcissist despot.

[robblok]

I hope we get rid of him But honestly nothing will change. Now a justice minister goes from his camp to the PTP. Tha t just shows how mercenary the politicians are and that they stand for nothing. (on both sides as PTP accepts the guy). 

 

So they stand for nothing have no conviction all just want a slice of the pie. So what changes will there be. Nothing much besides that the corruption money goes somewhere else. Sad fact of life. In other countries at least politicians bind their fate to their party. That way bad performing ones get weeded out. No such thing in Thailand.

 

I still hope of course to see him lose would be worth it to see his angry face and shame. 

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Pheu Thai Party

Does anyone else imagine what it would be like if there was a similar naming trend in their home countries as there is in Thailand?

 

I can't imagine that the "English love English" party would get a positive reaction in England.  Nor would an "English people fight Covid" slogan during the peak of the pandemic.  I think people would, quite rightly, point out that it was pretty xenophobic and offensive to non-English people living in the country.

[scottiejohn]

5 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

Does anyone else imagine what it would be like if there was a similar naming trend in their home countries as there is in Thailand?

 

I can't imagine that the "English love English" party would get a positive reaction in England.  Nor would an "English people fight Covid" slogan during the peak of the pandemic.  I think people would, quite rightly, point out that it was pretty xenophobic and offensive to non-English people living in the country.

I'm not so sure I agree with you!

Just look at the "Monster Raving Loony Party" for instance!

 

The Official Monster Raving Loony Party | Vote For Insanity

[BangkokReady]

3 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

I'm not so sure I agree with you!

Just look at the "Monster Raving Loony Party" for instance!

 

The Official Monster Raving Loony Party | Vote For Insanity

And you feel the Monster Raving Loony Party is the English equivalent of Thai Rak Thai?

[scottiejohn]

12 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

And you feel the Monster Raving Loony Party is the English equivalent of Thai Rak Thai?

Your words, not mine!

[kwilco]

The guy has an ego bigger than a big thing that can't be fitted in anywhere.....and have you heard his songs?!?!?

[smedly]

Bad week on the campaign trail for General Prayut as a lack of public enthusiasm makes itself known

 

 

hardly a surprise since the people of Thailand never had a say  in his leadership  which has gone on nearly 10 years 

[stoner]

19 minutes ago, scottiejohn said:

Your words, not mine!

hello we have a collect call from planet earth for you ? do you accept the charges. 

[spidermike007]

I have spoken to countless Thais over the past 8 years, including some who are government workers, and I have not been able to find a single one who likes this guy, or his hapless administration. Not one. And covid did not help. I doubt if he will get many votes, which are not bought and paid for. This guy needs to be put out to pasture, charged with crimes, and locked up, or deported, not made to serve even longer. Get out now. 

[IamNoone88]

The issue is not if he goes .. but what happens next if he stays.

[Mavideol]

how long or when will this clown realizes people are sick and tired of him and his cronies poor performance and corruption, what good has he done for the past 8 years,  he should start to pack ....

[Burma Bill]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

sensing which way the wind is blowing, is to resign from the government to join the rampant Pheu Thai Party which looks like it is on course for a landslide election win

In my opinion, what great news to start the weekend!!

 

 

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

What I hear in my neighbourhood from Thai people that they are very bored of Mr Prayuth and hope he will disappear as soon as possible..And I can't agree more with them, but I am not allowed to vote

But Thais are, and I hope they vote wisely this time around.

Also that the vote doesn't take two months to count either.

[ikke1959]

8 hours ago, robblok said:

I hope we get rid of him But honestly nothing will change. Now a justice minister goes from his camp to the PTP. Tha t just shows how mercenary the politicians are and that they stand for nothing. (on both sides as PTP accepts the guy). 

 

So they stand for nothing have no conviction all just want a slice of the pie. So what changes will there be. Nothing much besides that the corruption money goes somewhere else. Sad fact of life. In other countries at least politicians bind their fate to their party. That way bad performing ones get weeded out. No such thing in Thailand.

 

I still hope of course to see him lose would be worth it to see his angry face and shame. 

In short...they just follow the money.. where they can get they will join, where it more difficult or hopeless. they leave....

[kingstonkid]

10 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

Him, and his crew, have grown weary. 

Though, they don't appear to be taking notice. 

 

The illusion[s] are still amongst us. 

Graffiti artists have shown their love for him.  His are the only ones that they are tagging

[kingstonkid]

12 hours ago, webfact said:

t was confirmed that his Minister of Justice, Somsak Thepsutin, sensing which way the wind is blowing, is to resign from the government to join the rampant Pheu Thai Party which looks like it is on course for a landslide election win in two months time.

This shows how the political system here works it has nothing to do with ideology but who can get me the best job and the most money.

 

This is the old guard at their best hopefully, other parties do not follow suit 

 

It would also be a bold move if the PT said thanks but no thanks after all anyone in the present government is responsible for where we are.

[zzaa09]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

But Thais are, and I hope they vote wisely this time around.

Also that the vote doesn't take two months to count either.

And.......any such election result or any official mandate/activity requires a blessing/approval from those traditional powers. 

 

Folks speak of democratically-based elections and systems in a very dreamy manner.

The bottom line: It's all moot.

[Andycoops]

How anyone could be enthusiastic about the most miserable usurper of democracy, beggars belief.

[Henryford]

22 hours ago, brianthainess said:

He has Never been liked by at least 70% of the population. Narcissist despot.

With 250 Senate seats in the bag i doubt he cares. Any opposion would need 376 seats, 75% of the Lower House.

[Jerno]

18 hours ago, Mavideol said:

how long or when will this clown realizes people are sick and tired of him and his cronies poor performance and corruption, what good has he done for the past 8 years,  he should start to pack ....

Realize?  He doesn't give  hoot about what people think about him.  He simply wants to stay in power and that all that matters to him.

[metisdead]

Please use discretion in your references to the government. Phrases which can be considered as anti-coup will be removed. Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

[zzaa09]

18 hours ago, IamNoone88 said:

The issue is not if he goes .. but what happens next if he stays.

Some wiser might be suggesting that predictable events will change things - in May. 

It's not as if there's no contemporary history of such activity. 

 

And.......doesn't really matter if he hits the road or stays on. 

[zzaa09]

15 minutes ago, Henryford said:

With 250 Senate seats in the bag i doubt he cares. Any opposion would need 376 seats, 75% of the Lower House.

All of which can be manipulated to their will and favour. 

Btw.....there truly isn't an oppositional threat that hasn't been dealt with already.