"Where's the Government Now?" Army Chief Asks Reporters

[Fat Haggis]

Oh dear scamper, what you fail to grasp is that General Prayuth is very much a politician, as well as a military leader, whether he likes it or not.

It's very common for staff officers of such high ranking to be involved in politics especially in Thailand, all one needs to do is look at the senate, I do believe there are former Generals sitting there due to the events of the past.

To also think he's naive and not aware of the potential implications of today's events with regards to the political climate is also naive.

I like him, he seems a no none sense type of person, I personally know a British General, he used to be my old company Commander who was also a no none sense type of guy, but the higher the ladder he rose, the more political his position was, rather than being Military tough guys, many British Generals were the same, and at the end of the, he's decided to step in, so in effect he's now a statesman and a politician as well as the leader of the Royal Thai Army.

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How do you know the General is a politician? Are you privvy to the information or are you taking someone else's words as face value?

Have you got the facts at hand to back up your claims or are you just talking speculation and guessing??

I want evidence from you that he is a politician, statements from the political party he is in, reports to back this from the EC and electoral ballots showing his name. All original documents please lest you fabricate the evidence. Seeing as you seem to have inside knowledge as you seemingly only deal in FACTS then this should not be an issue for you.

It's fine if you're not able to provide this evidence, it's as I suspect it's just another opinion here on TVF that is one of many that mean diddly squat

This is a reasonable request of evidence since you have asked the same of me here.

hahahahahahaha your such a funny guy, can you please post where I've stated that I only post or deal with facts? I doubt you can, so you're actually lying YOU on the other hand have consistently posted that you only deal with facts, and not speculation, me on the other hand, I post opinions, and speculate, I don't drop myself in the shit like you do Jamie.

You seem to forget that not so long ago his name was mentioned by sections of the media touting him to be the next interim Prime Minister, why would they do that if they didn't feel he would make an ideal candidate, you do realise that politics isn't just confined to governments ? It can also mean the sympathies of a person, or the complex of relations between people living in a society?

just because he doesn't belong to any particular party doesn't necessary mean he's not a politician of sorts, there are politics in all branches of work, it doesn't have to mean its a monopoly of a government.

Anyway, you're not going to get facts from me anymore than I'm going to get facts from you, but it does show the TVF members that your quite immature and responding in a tit for tat capacity, especially when you are bringing in stuff from another thread into the debate, it's called trolling and it's something you seem to be pretty good at.

So taking this OT, did you post actual facts to back up your claims that it was the red shirts who shot the PDRC leader? Not that I really care what you think anyway Jamie, I had you measured up ages ago, you don't like it when someone turns the screws on you and think people demonise you, no they don't, they just think your a throbber, just like many think the same of me, and it doesn't bother me in the slightest, I don't really care what other members think of me, as it's not like I have to socialise or work with any of them, the difference is, I'd still be the first one to buy them a beer, as opinions are like , we all have them

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Come on. Give me the proof then? Don't change the subject. I am asking for the same burden of proof you asked me before.

I want evidence from you that he is a politician, statements from the political party he is in, reports to back this from the EC and electoral ballots showing his name. All original documents please lest you fabricate the evidence.

It's fine if you're not able to provide this evidence, it's as I suspect it's just another opinion here on TVF that is one of many that mean diddly squat

“if you reply, don't demonize me, don't be condescending, don't quote me out of context, don't change the subject and don't cherry pick”

They're in the post!!

Whose changing the subject, or are you unable to comprehend that what I wrote was MY opinion, and probably that of many other people too.

YOU are the one who constantly harps on about only posting facts, me I post whatever I think, as in an opinion and I'm quite comfy with that, you should be too seeing as you NEVER actually back anything up, you cut and run, like a typical troll, you are not dealing with the topic in question, you are moaning about burden of proof, where was the proof about PDRC leader having been shot by the Redshirts (3rd arm) as you put it, of course you know this to be fact Jamie? Like I said, I couldn't care really about the burden of proof, I'm highlighting the FACT you are every bit as speculative and opinionated as most of the people here, in other words, you like to troll

The political party he belongs to is called the Royal Thai Army, he's been a member of this party for over 30 years I believe, and if you think that they're not a political party, that's a bit odd as they seem to keep interfering with Governments in the past and re writing the policies of the country

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[cdnvic]

I'm getting very tired of these silly personal battles between you two. Put your handbags down and relax or you'll both be sidelined until this situation is over.

[thecynic]

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"We will try not to violate human rights -- too much. We will try not to cause inconvenience to the public. There are still many provisions in the martial laws we have not used." alt=ohmy.png>

The message should be clear. This is considered 'blunt speech' for a Thai. (Pol. Capt. Chalerm is an extreme 'blunt speaker') In case you still don't 'get' it, I will translate his remark into Western blunt speech: "Don't start any s*it and there won't be any s*it, I'm serious as a heart attack". It's clearly a direct threat of violence against anyone involved with civil disturbance.

BTW, did you read the list of powers available to the army, constitutionally, under the rules of Martial Law? Gen. Prayuth, so far, has hardly used any of the provisions of Martial Law. He's just stating a fact.

Fine, I get it. But you should also get that for someone who doesn't know him to be "an extreme 'blunt speaker'" will have trouble with such statements. And might I also say that there are plenty of such people out there who don't know him.

[Fat Haggis]

apologies to the forum.

I do like this General, he appears or be a straight down the line kind of leader, however, his career and all that has gone on around him does make for interesting reading, there are plenty of articles online that are less than flattering a bout him, and it's no secret there's no love lost between himself and the PTP/UDD and it's through past events that may well make it " appear " that he has aligned himself with a particular political party, that however is his choice, and doesn't bother me in the slightest either, up to him !!

Things were getting silly, both sided making waves, and egging each other on, the move today/yesterday should put a stop to any potential flash points although anyone who us determined to cause trouble inevitably manages to do so, if the red shirts start, then I hope the army deals with it quickly with minimal bloodshed, I doubt that anyone wants to see a repeat of the 2010 riots, I also hope that if the PDRC continue with their threats of hunting down the caretaker cabinet, that they too are dealt with swiftly, there's no place for vigilante antics that are provocative in their intent and nature.

both sides need to stop pushing buttons, as this General will be the one pushing buttons, and if he gets pissed, he's not going to be a very popular man. Cool heads need to prevail, and it's also rather interesting that there's not been anything coming from Abhisit today, has there?

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[smedly]

now thats tough talking taking no s--t...shame these feeble reporters didnt question ptp like that.when..they were in power..

actually they may have if they got the chance - PTP holding a press conference was a rare event and even when they did it was very much on their terms, another reason why they had to go - saying very little was a PTP policy and when they did it was mostly lies diversion and deflection

The general is very obviously in full control and taking no sh it from anyone which is exactly what is needed right now

His comment about the government was an interesting one "where are they now" to me he was saying - do you see them up here with me - do you hear them talking, I think he and the majority in Thailand have had enough of Tarit - Charlerm - Sutapong - Plod and ultimately Thaksin and his redshirt mouth piece and I'm not surprised considering the nonsense coming from CAPO the last few days which also seems to have been "dismissed"

[notmyself]

Removed two post, one defamatory, the other using abusing language, both directed at a general.

Members should be extra careful not to post in this manner during this time of martial law as it could get them into serious trouble with the authorities.

Indeed, given my record I shall just be posting on the food and Samui forums.

[nidieunimaitre]

Removed two post, one defamatory, the other using abusing language, both directed at a general.

Members should be extra careful not to post in this manner during this time of martial law as it could get them into serious trouble with the authorities.

Indeed, given my record I shall just be posting on the food and Samui forums.

WARNING: do not provide food for thought!

[beautifulthailand99]

Is it a coup ?

[slipperylobster]

Perhaps the General will be checking on ThaiVisa? I did see reports today that social media will be monitored.

Well, anyways, alcohol sales should be up soon, if a curfew is imposed....best stock up for rainy season, as it may become dry.

(sad to think that that would be a priority, eh?)

I just remember Martial Law in the Philippines.....bars closed and streets cleared, by force, at midnight. I was waiting for a gal by the main gate at Subic at 11:45, when an army jeep(with obligatory 50 cal mounted machine gun) drove up and pointed the thing at me. First night in the Philippines...

[templedog]

Hilarious first show of total lack understaning of how things work. Wonder if they need a PR guy to steer the coup through the rest of the day.

Government were busy all day with Reuters, BBC, CNN, US, EU and every Ambassador in Thailand. Check out the reports. Also busy drafting a totally legal draft for elections on 3rd August.

Be difficult now for EC not to comply with election date request now their friends have ensures safety with martial law.

So, whilst the army were posturing, taking selfies and meeting with Suthep and their backers, the Government backed them into a corner with an election date. Hilarious first day in power.

Pity the Army thought to concentrate on his smug allies!!!

You seem to be one of those pathetic individuals who is crying out loud right now, just because someone stepped in in the nick of time to stop psychotic red hordes from starting a civil war. He was right - what government? They lost the control of country some time ago. And might I refresh your memory, we got to this point only because UDD/Red shirts terrorists accelerated smuggling automatic weapons to Bangkok/Thailand. Get some perspective.

Wrong again.

They didn't lose control, they had it stripped from then by a small elite mob. A mob that was dwindling so much that the Army could no longer protect them on the streets.

Thanks for the lovely flames. I am sorry that the glory of your much prayed for coup was short lived and only in small areas of Elite society at that.

You really need to be reading more before you post. Note I spent all day reading real news before I posted. Flame on by all means, but please, do so with more info. backing you.

I won't reply anymore to you. Much more important things to read and write. I'll just see how many likes you get for your poor respnse

Hello Jenny,

I am interested in "real news", can you tell me where to find it? Cheers.

[slipperylobster]

Reading all the news? I think some censorship is now in progress.... Impossible to draw any perspective that way......

[JRSoul]

Anybody killed last night? Merely maimed?

Amazing what cancelling road block passes and get of jail free cards can do for a country.

[MAJIC]

Good solid approach from The General, needs to get this protest stuff on both sides under control.

This has been needed for sometime , as the current PTP mob have shown little inclination to do anything other than dance to a convicted criminal fugitives drum.

It's early days yet! and hard to predict which side the General really leans towards!

[Robby nz]

Good solid approach from The General, needs to get this protest stuff on both sides under control.

This has been needed for sometime , as the current PTP mob have shown little inclination to do anything other than dance to a convicted criminal fugitives drum.

It's early days yet! and hard to predict which side the General really leans towards!

I think it is silly speculation that he leans any way.

This is the sort of polarization that has got the country in the state it is now.

Those who see themselves as champions of any side appear to always try to vilify anyone who in not on the side they support and don't seem to be able to understand that people don't have to 'lean' any way but have the ability to look at things from a middle ground and make up their own minds rather than following the dogma of one group or another.

The ML is only a little over 24hrs old and so far a great deal has been accomplished in that time.

The mouthes are still ranting on but by this time tomorrow there is a every chance they will all have been given some good advice.

[Roadman]

Good solid approach from The General, needs to get this protest stuff on both sides under control.

This has been needed for sometime , as the current PTP mob have shown little inclination to do anything other than dance to a convicted criminal fugitives drum.

It's early days yet! and hard to predict which side the General really leans towards!

Its actually real easy to figure out which side Khun General Prayuth is on, and that has been obvious from the day he was appointed to his position with the statements he was making then and the very well disciplined, fair and even handed approach he has been applying since. The side he is on is as his position dictates which is His Most Revered and Royal Highness, Thailand and the thai people and his troops first and foremost. And it certainly is not any of the low life rabble that pass as politicians. It is a pity that this guy had not been the Army General in Chief many years ago as I think Thailand would by now have put most of this current garbage behind them. Its a pity that he is going to retire soon as Thailand needs more of his type. Hopefully his predecessor will have his same outstanding qualities.

Edited May 20, 2014 by Roadman

[thesetat2013]

I really like this guy Prayuth. He takes no sh-- from anyone and if you dont listen he tells you off.

Throughout all of this he has been level headed and unchanged in his position. Its easy to see how he got his position.

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[MaxLee]

Perhaps the General will be checking on ThaiVisa? I did see reports today that social media will be monitored.

Well, anyways, alcohol sales should be up soon, if a curfew is imposed....best stock up for rainy season, as it may become dry.

(sad to think that that would be a priority, eh?)

I just remember Martial Law in the Philippines.....bars closed and streets cleared, by force, at midnight. I was waiting for a gal by the main gate at Subic at 11:45, when an army jeep(with obligatory 50 cal mounted machine gun) drove up and pointed the thing at me. First night in the Philippines...

And you can confirm that???... Then my worst fears have become true. Social Media, the most effective way to spread news. That would be a catastrophe. BUT unfortunately both opposition parties and their followers ASKED for it. The social media savvy teenies will get grounded THANKS to those Opposition's buffaloes, as I would sarcastically say....

[JRSoul]

Perhaps the General will be checking on ThaiVisa? I did see reports today that social media will be monitored.

Well, anyways, alcohol sales should be up soon, if a curfew is imposed....best stock up for rainy season, as it may become dry.

(sad to think that that would be a priority, eh?)

I just remember Martial Law in the Philippines.....bars closed and streets cleared, by force, at midnight. I was waiting for a gal by the main gate at Subic at 11:45, when an army jeep(with obligatory 50 cal mounted machine gun) drove up and pointed the thing at me. First night in the Philippines...

Consider yourself lucky that they didn't decide that you had no chance of making it home by midnight.

[fasteddie]

"I love the smell of burning democracy in the morning!"

[scunner]

Interesting range of opinions here

As a noob to the area, I was wondering why it is the Army running the show in all of this, as I got told years ago that the Thai Navy was top dog over there, is that no longer correct?

[JRSoul]

"I love the smell of burning democracy in the morning!"

Red democracy always has a pungent odour.

[bkkgooner]

Came across like an idiot in that press conference but something needs to be done in the future about this soft touch approach that the police force takes to protests. Letting protesters stroll in and take over important government buildings for six months is just insane and leads to situations like this developing.

[bkkgooner]

As a noob to the area, I was wondering why it is the Army running the show in all of this, as I got told years ago that the Thai Navy was top dog over there, is that no longer correct?

The navy are notorious for their corruption on the side and at the moment seem to be heavily involved in human trafficking, but the army literally owns this country and has done for a very long time.

[JRSoul]

Came across like an idiot in that press conference but something needs to be done in the future about this soft touch approach that the police force takes to protests. Letting protesters stroll in and take over important government buildings for six months is just insane and leads to situations like this developing.

I am more inclined to believe that stopping the systematic murder of those protesters was of more importance to him. Tell me, which countries have advanced by the arming of political party militias?

[Jackson86]

i literally laughed throughout the interview. The army really cannot speak well to reporters.

Are you implying that they can not stoop low enough to pander to idiots who don't listen?

Haha. Thailand is somewhat egypt, the army is not entirely under the government. The only good thing is in the no. of casualties.

[fasteddie]

Came across like an idiot in that press conference but something needs to be done in the future about this soft touch approach that the police force takes to protests. Letting protesters stroll in and take over important government buildings for six months is just insane and leads to situations like this developing.

I am more inclined to believe that stopping the systematic murder of those protesters was of more importance to him. Tell me, which countries have advanced by the arming of political party militias?

Ukraine?

[neverdie]

I liked the way the General spoke with the media. It doesn't matter what way you speak to a majority of the modern day journalist, they just don't listen. How many times have you listened to an interview between a journalist and a person of authority and the same questions keep getting asked time and time again. Most of the questions are utter rubbish. Having said that it is also beneficial when situations are spelt out in a short, sharp precise manner and that's not always achieved.

The media of the day is quite pathetic. Liong gone are the days of the good reporter, although I acknowledge there are still the odd ones around, most have dried up, died off or just given up.

Having said that, media aside, the problem now faced by Thailand is can the current batch of representatives take the nation forward in a positive way, clearly the situation looks extremely difficult. Furthermore the wrong doings of most of the recent history of the last couple of decades is ringing like a siren in everyone's ears.

It would be greatly benificial to Thailand, for all people to STOP, urge their leaders to get off the stage and walk forward and sit down at a round table and negotiate their way through these times. Simply screaming demands at each other using stages, crowds and violence will not work. This has been demonstrated time and time again, right around the world. Thailand does not sit inside a vacume, the rules of gravity still apply here.

Politicians need to remember that they were elected as a greater whole to represent the people. The people need to communicate with their representative and then these elected few need to gather and sort through the mess, that's what they are paid for. A clean up is required, a clean up of the greatest proportion, no side of Politics should be made exempt.

Finally, Thai people of every walk of life need to realise that corruption is like a cancer, it eats away at the very core of a community. Corruption exists in every country on the earth, at vary levels and at varying degrees. Society will NEVER operate smoothly when corrupt acts dominate, there is no way forward with that type of system. Corruption needs to be reigned in, stamped out and the people need to be able to trust their leaders, even if their first choice of leader isn't in place. The leaders of any given country should not be corrupt criminals with their own hidden agendas, it's not acceptable and will never work.

Whilst Thailand certainly has it's work cut out for it Some of the Non native people on this forum should take a bit of a look over their shoulders as the Thais arnt the only ones with these challenges ahead.

It's a shame that so many of these threads are taken over with forumites that have agendas, the constant bickering and nonesense that goes on between the 'same people' is constant and never ending. It's dull and unintelligent. The constant piiissssing contest to see who can gather words in the cleverest of ways. Many of these posters have either short or selective memories, others just seem delusional to say the least. I'm always one of the first ones to try and throw a bit of humor into the mix, try and lighten things up a bit however I realise this is just a waste of time. Anyway, I am sure most of the people I refer to here regarding this point are too busy to try and understand my message, after all they are already flat out dissection it and preparing their agenda driven replies and insults.

A long rant I realise, my apology for that, but I have one final thing to say here before the 'flames' begin. It would be pleasant if people could stop being so damn critical of Thailand all the time. No place is perfect on this planet, no place, but you are indeed one sad sack of s h I t if you feel the constant need to come into this forum and continually critise Thai people. It's a pity that sort of nonesense seems so acceptable around here and there's nothing wrong with the odd whinge, however some people just seem to be hell bent on putting Thailand constantly. Shame on you!

[Baerboxer]

Hilarious first show of total lack understaning of how things work. Wonder if they need a PR guy to steer the coup through the rest of the day.

Government were busy all day with Reuters, BBC, CNN, US, EU and every Ambassador in Thailand. Check out the reports. Also busy drafting a totally legal draft for elections on 3rd August.

Be difficult now for EC not to comply with election date request now their friends have ensures safety with martial law.

So, whilst the army were posturing, taking selfies and meeting with Suthep and their backers, the Government backed them into a corner with an election date. Hilarious first day in power.

Pity the Army thought to concentrate on his smug allies!!!

You seem to be one of those pathetic individuals who is crying out loud right now, just because someone stepped in in the nick of time to stop psychotic red hordes from starting a civil war. He was right - what government? They lost the control of country some time ago. And might I refresh your memory, we got to this point only because UDD/Red shirts terrorists accelerated smuggling automatic weapons to Bangkok/Thailand. Get some perspective.

Wrong again.

They didn't lose control, they had it stripped from then by a small elite mob. A mob that was dwindling so much that the Army could no longer protect them on the streets.

Thanks for the lovely flames. I am sorry that the glory of your much prayed for coup was short lived and only in small areas of Elite society at that.

You really need to be reading more before you post. Note I spent all day reading real news before I posted. Flame on by all means, but please, do so with more info. backing you.

I won't reply anymore to you. Much more important things to read and write. I'll just see how many likes you get for your poor respnse

He got 19 like against your landslide 3.

[Baerboxer]

I really like this guy Prayuth. He takes no sh-- from anyone and if you dont listen he tells you off.

Throughout all of this he has been level headed and unchanged in his position. Its easy to see how he got his position.

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He is a senior military leader - and he acts like one. Credible, sensible and acts in the interests of the people. Not many of them about in the world, let alone Thailand.

He has watched patiently but has been forced to act by the blatant involvement of the PTP caretaker government in weapons smuggling and the increasingly biased and bizzare threats coming out of CAPO daily. Anyone one could see PTP/CAPO had no intentions of keeping the peace or treating all fairly. He's right to chastise Tarit publicly for his behavior, and right to step in now before the violence explodes.

The more this gentleman is involved, the better for Thailand. Sense and reason at last, rather than self serving greed.

[northernjohn]

Oh dear scamper, what you fail to grasp is that General Prayuth is very much a politician, as well as a military leader, whether he likes it or not.

It's very common for staff officers of such high ranking to be involved in politics especially in Thailand, all one needs to do is look at the senate, I do believe there are former Generals sitting there due to the events of the past.

To also think he's naive and not aware of the potential implications of today's events with regards to the political climate is also naive.

I like him, he seems a no none sense type of person, I personally know a British General, he used to be my old company Commander who was also a no none sense type of guy, but the higher the ladder he rose, the more political his position was, rather than being Military tough guys, many British Generals were the same, and at the end of the, he's decided to step in, so in effect he's now a statesman and a politician as well as the leader of the Royal Thai Army.

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How do you know the General is a politician? Are you privvy to the information or are you taking someone else's words as face value?

Have you got the facts at hand to back up your claims or are you just talking speculation and guessing??

I want evidence from you that he is a politician, statements from the political party he is in, reports to back this from the EC and electoral ballots showing his name. All original documents please lest you fabricate the evidence. Seeing as you seem to have inside knowledge as you seemingly only deal in FACTS then this should not be an issue for you.

I can not see how he could be a politician. He pandered to no one and when reporters tried to get him to change his statements he just slapped them down.