Academics hope Prayuth will stick with his soft approach as prime minister

[Lite Beer]

Academics hope Prayuth will stick with his soft approach as prime minister
Kamol Taukitphaisarn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha softened his speech as soon as he became chief of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), observers say, suggesting that he should ease his authoritative tone even further as prime minister.

Wilasinee Phiphitkul, an academic in public communication, said that in his speeches, Prayuth sounded like a father telling his children what they should or should not do.

"I'm not sure if he will continue speaking in this manner when he becomes involved in the government and national politics. He may need to sound less commanding so common people can listen to a leader explaining the overall direction of the country," she said.

Since the May 22 coup, Prayuth has been addressing the nation every Friday in his televised "Returning Happiness to the People" show. However, he has not once given a formal media interview since becoming NCPO chief.

Wilasinee, former deputy dean of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of communication arts, pointed out that the junta chief had addressed ethical issues and touched on every detail of social woes including the problem of motorcycle racers.

She also said that since Prayuth had not been elected, he did not have to worry about his constituency base or to please voters.

Sukhum Nuansakul, a political analyst and former rector of Ramkhamhaeng University, also noted that the junta chief had started speaking more softly since the coup.

"Previously, General Prayuth spoke sternly, in a typically military style. He sounded intimidating and merciless when giving orders," he said.

"However, after the coup, he has toned his voice down. Now he speaks more gently, does not cut people short and listens with respect."

Rungrat Chaisamrej, dean of the School of Communication Arts at the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce, said she was impressed with Prayuth's sincerity, pointing out that he was direct and did not need to copy a politician's style. This, she said, provided an impression of a trustworthy leader.

"Not all prime ministers are the same. A soldier does not have to be like a politician. Prayuth is simple with his approach - direct, decisive and sincere. He should not lose his 'unique' identity, and he may have to give more explanations as a prime minister," Rungrat said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Academics-hope-Prayuth-will-stick-with-his-soft-ap-30241583.html

-- The Nation 2014-08-23

[submaniac]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

[MaxLee]

Academic,... HAAAA,.... most of those scumbags are EXACTLY the reason why Thailand's children are brainwashed beyond brain damage Academics my behind....

Edited August 23, 2014 by MaxLee

[NongKhaiKid]

Academics, would that be anything like the one who came out with the earth shattering proposition that Thai drivers should stop at pedestrian crossings ?

[NZ1325]

When the idiots who want to run this place just care about robbing the state (shin etc) you need to speak with authority. Go hard Gen!

[Acharn]

I kind of agree with submaniac above. I've been pleasantly surprised by his willingness to talk about what he's doing and what he has planned. Of course I liked Suchinda up until May 1992, too.

[Baerboxer]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

How many have been rounded up and sentenced so far? Not seen any examples of political show trials yet as you seem to suggest,

Yingluck, her sister, Chalerm, Tharit, Jatuporn, Nat, Arisman and his missus, - all been treated softly, not banged up.

Sure some were called in and told to behave or else. Stopped the daily attacks and killings didn't it.

Who. apart from Sondhi (hardly one of Big T's lackeys), has been given a lengthy sentence so far?

[Baerboxer]

Academic,... HAAAA,.... most of those scumbags are EXACTLY the reason why Thailand's children are brainwashed beyond brain damage Academics my behind....

Your post clearly demonstrates your superior intellect and deep understanding of the epistemology and ontology underpinning the Thai education system and the development and role of Thai academics in that,

Have you thought of publishing papers on your suggested improvements?

[tbthailand]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

How many have been rounded up and sentenced so far? Not seen any examples of political show trials yet as you seem to suggest,

Yingluck, her sister, Chalerm, Tharit, Jatuporn, Nat, Arisman and his missus, - all been treated softly, not banged up.

Sure some were called in and told to behave or else. Stopped the daily attacks and killings didn't it.

Who. apart from Sondhi (hardly one of Big T's lackeys), has been given a lengthy sentence so far?

I would suggest that you read a bit more.

[Roadman]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

Would you care to name the "politicial opponents" who have been given lengthy prison sentences. That is apart from all common law breakers who have been tried in supreme and criminal courts which is nothing to do with the Junta whatsoever, and who are nobodies politicial opponents but common law breakers. I can only think of one who has been rounded up by the Junta and even then I am not sure that they were given a sentence in an Army Court so looking forward to your enlightenment.

[fab4]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

How many have been rounded up and sentenced so far? Not seen any examples of political show trials yet as you seem to suggest,

Yingluck, her sister, Chalerm, Tharit, Jatuporn, Nat, Arisman and his missus, - all been treated softly, not banged up.

Sure some were called in and told to behave or else. Stopped the daily attacks and killings didn't it.

Who. apart from Sondhi (hardly one of Big T's lackeys), has been given a lengthy sentence so far?

If you think it's only about the length of sentence you have a lot of learning to do. Have you ever wondered why people have been detained?

[fab4]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

Would you care to name the "politicial opponents" who have been given lengthy prison sentences. That is apart from all common law breakers who have been tried in supreme and criminal courts which is nothing to do with the Junta whatsoever, and who are nobodies politicial opponents but common law breakers. I can only think of one who has been rounded up by the Junta and even then I am not sure that they were given a sentence in an Army Court so looking forward to your enlightenment.

http://ilaw.or.th/node/3177 , http://freedom.ilaw.or.th/en

[rubl]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

How many have been rounded up and sentenced so far? Not seen any examples of political show trials yet as you seem to suggest,

Yingluck, her sister, Chalerm, Tharit, Jatuporn, Nat, Arisman and his missus, - all been treated softly, not banged up.

Sure some were called in and told to behave or else. Stopped the daily attacks and killings didn't it.

Who. apart from Sondhi (hardly one of Big T's lackeys), has been given a lengthy sentence so far?

If you think it's only about the length of sentence you have a lot of learning to do. Have you ever wondered why people have been detained?

Defying orders of the junta while the country is under Martial Law? Aggitating? Found to be involved in cowardly grenade attacks?

Didn't you read the list on the iLAW side, to which you provided the link ?

[tbthailand]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

Would you care to name the "politicial opponents" who have been given lengthy prison sentences. That is apart from all common law breakers who have been tried in supreme and criminal courts which is nothing to do with the Junta whatsoever, and who are nobodies politicial opponents but common law breakers. I can only think of one who has been rounded up by the Junta and even then I am not sure that they were given a sentence in an Army Court so looking forward to your enlightenment.

http://ilaw.or.th/node/3177 , http://freedom.ilaw.or.th/en

intimidation began immediately.

in bkk the people detained were made public on the famous list of 100s. In the provinces, there are no lists. People are simply rounded up.

Immediately after the coup, in the Khon Kaen province, over 3,400 were arrested. Some here would call that "cleaning house", some in Khon Kaen would call it deliberate intimidation and human rights violations.

My favorite LM sentence was the 2 1/2 years given to a taxi driver. He was arrested just after the coup and sentenced recently. His LM crime was to talk about "inequality in Thai society" with one of his taxi fares. The customer secretly recorded the conversation on his phone. When was that? oh, back in January.

The junta has requested extradition of many political opponents who have fled their homeland. After it became clear that other countries will not extradite for LM cases, the junta began charging them with other crimes like gun-running. Of course it is a coincidence that many military grade weapons have been found while the army has "lost" a lot of their stocks.

[Roadman]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

Would you care to name the "politicial opponents" who have been given lengthy prison sentences. That is apart from all common law breakers who have been tried in supreme and criminal courts which is nothing to do with the Junta whatsoever, and who are nobodies politicial opponents but common law breakers. I can only think of one who has been rounded up by the Junta and even then I am not sure that they were given a sentence in an Army Court so looking forward to your enlightenment.

http://ilaw.or.th/node/3177 , http://freedom.ilaw.or.th/en

And the point of your link was faabie? It certainly does not answer the usual bullcrap spouted on here that I contested.

For the information of the bull crap spouters the answer is there is noThai's who have been rounded up and sentenced to lengthy sentences by the Junta. The closest to that senario for those who did heed their own bull crap and care to read is that the first two civilians (note the "first") to be tried under the Junta military court appeared in front of the Army court on the 5th August to face charges. They being quite understandly Chaturon Chaisang and Worachet Pakeerat who were set bail for 30 days and in my grasp of the English language that 30 days takes us through to beyond today's date. So there are no thai's who have been rounded up and given lengthy prison sentences. Just more bull crap spewed from the uninformed.

The police are currently seeking to lay some of the same charges against these two which I am assuming will see them possibly released of the charges in front of the Military Court and moved to the Criminal court.

[tbthailand]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

Would you care to name the "politicial opponents" who have been given lengthy prison sentences. That is apart from all common law breakers who have been tried in supreme and criminal courts which is nothing to do with the Junta whatsoever, and who are nobodies politicial opponents but common law breakers. I can only think of one who has been rounded up by the Junta and even then I am not sure that they were given a sentence in an Army Court so looking forward to your enlightenment.

http://ilaw.or.th/node/3177 , http://freedom.ilaw.or.th/en

And the point of your link was faabie? It certainly does not answer the usual bullcrap spouted on here that I contested.

For the information of the bull crap spouters the answer is there is noThai's who have been rounded up and sentenced to lengthy sentences by the Junta. The closest to that senario for those who did heed their own bull crap and care to read is that the first two civilians (note the "first") to be tried under the Junta military court appeared in front of the Army court on the 5th August to face charges. They being quite understandly Chaturon Chaisang and Worachet Pakeerat who were set bail for 30 days and in my grasp of the English language that 30 days takes us through to beyond today's date. So there are no thai's who have been rounded up and given lengthy prison sentences. Just more bull crap spewed from the uninformed.

The police are currently seeking to lay some of the same charges against these two which I am assuming will see them possibly released of the charges in front of the Military Court and moved to the Criminal court.

guessing that you did not read the LM section where most of the Thais are still in prison with bail denied

about 10 days ago, the taxi driver was sentenced to 2 1/2 years for being dumb enough to talk to a royalist customer. Don't know what you call "long" but let's imagine you in the clink for 30 months.

The"NCPO" has indeed 'rounded up' a bunch of opponents. The "NCPO" claims that they were all well treated and that all have been released. Some claim otherwise, some have left the country, and the "NCPO" has not provided any information about detainees and their releases other than to say that all have been released. In spite of that we know that at least one red shirt is still in their custody and the "NCPO" has claimed that he wants to stay. Maybe the food is really good at military camps. Who knows.

[fab4]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

How many have been rounded up and sentenced so far? Not seen any examples of political show trials yet as you seem to suggest,

Yingluck, her sister, Chalerm, Tharit, Jatuporn, Nat, Arisman and his missus, - all been treated softly, not banged up.

Sure some were called in and told to behave or else. Stopped the daily attacks and killings didn't it.

Who. apart from Sondhi (hardly one of Big T's lackeys), has been given a lengthy sentence so far?

If you think it's only about the length of sentence you have a lot of learning to do. Have you ever wondered why people have been detained?

Defying orders of the junta while the country is under Martial Law? Aggitating? Found to be involved in cowardly grenade attacks?

Didn't you read the list on the iLAW side, to which you provided the link ?

Yes, I did, all of it. Again did you wonder why people have been detained? Try and think beyond repeating the junta's "justification".

[Eric Loh]

Until he cancel martial law, he is still authoritative and imposing his hard stance on the citizen who can't gather and express their opinion. Soft is never in his vocabulary as he answer to no one.

[rubl]

Defying orders of the junta while the country is under Martial Law? Aggitating? Found to be involved in cowardly grenade attacks?

Didn't you read the list on the iLAW side, to which you provided the link ?

Yes, I did, all of it. Again did you wonder why people have been detained? Try and think beyond repeating the junta's "justification".

Seven months of chaos which started with a government trying to push through a blanket amnesty bill for big brother and little sis' amongst others and you still repeat their stance on how undemocratic the anti-protesters were?

With two days of talks with parties involved only a repeat of "but the others" of course the junta had to make clear that political games will not be tolerated. Even the odd grenade lobber with the 'right' colout shirts get detained. Suthep c.s. accompanied to court to hear and acknowledge charges, etc., etc.

BTW please don't suggest others jump, please don't jump yourself either. At least I need to be reminded sometimes why I feel a need to counter political programs.

Edited August 23, 2014 by rubl

[fab4]

Defying orders of the junta while the country is under Martial Law? Aggitating? Found to be involved in cowardly grenade attacks?

Didn't you read the list on the iLAW side, to which you provided the link ?

Yes, I did, all of it. Again did you wonder why people have been detained? Try and think beyond repeating the junta's "justification".

Seven months of chaos which started with a government trying to push through a blanket amnesty bill for big brother and little sis' amongst others and you still repeat their stance on how undemocratic the anti-protesters were?

With two days of talks with parties involved only a repeat of "but the others" of course the junta had to make clear that political games will not be tolerated. Even the odd grenade lobber with the 'right' colout shirts get detained. Suthep c.s. accompanied to court to hear and acknowledge charges, etc., etc.

BTW please don't suggest others jump, please don't jump yourself either. At least I need to be reminded sometimes why I feel a need to counter political programs.

What?

[rubl]

Until he cancel martial law, he is still authoritative and imposing his hard stance on the citizen who can't gather and express their opinion. Soft is never in his vocabulary as he answer to no one.

Read the interim constitution for who PM Gen Prayuth answers to.

BTW I fear some will only be satisfied if PM Prayuth invites Thaksin to come back and take over.

In the mean time I hope Thai will co-operate with NRC and CDC to make a more reliable base for a real democracy.

[tbthailand]

Defying orders of the junta while the country is under Martial Law? Aggitating? Found to be involved in cowardly grenade attacks?

Didn't you read the list on the iLAW side, to which you provided the link ?

Yes, I did, all of it. Again did you wonder why people have been detained? Try and think beyond repeating the junta's "justification".

Seven months of chaos which started with a government trying to push through a blanket amnesty bill for big brother and little sis' amongst others and you still repeat their stance on how undemocratic the anti-protesters were?

With two days of talks with parties involved only a repeat of "but the others" of course the junta had to make clear that political games will not be tolerated. Even the odd grenade lobber with the 'right' colout shirts get detained. Suthep c.s. accompanied to court to hear and acknowledge charges, etc., etc.

BTW please don't suggest others jump, please don't jump yourself either. At least I need to be reminded sometimes why I feel a need to counter political programs.

What?

broken record

[lvr181]

Speak softly but carry a big stick?

[Eric Loh]

Until he cancel martial law, he is still authoritative and imposing his hard stance on the citizen who can't gather and express their opinion. Soft is never in his vocabulary as he answer to no one.

Read the interim constitution for who PM Gen Prayuth answers to.

BTW I fear some will only be satisfied if PM Prayuth invites Thaksin to come back and take over.

In the mean time I hope Thai will co-operate with NRC and CDC to make a more reliable base for a real democracy.

If you mean Section 19-20, then you surely know that it's necessary to have respect for the form of government especially an interim constitution by the military.

[joshstiles]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Academic,... HAAAA,.... most of those scumbags are EXACTLY the reason why Thailand's children are brainwashed beyond brain damage Academics my behind....

Your post clearly demonstrates your superior intellect and deep understanding of the epistemology and ontology underpinning the Thai education system and the development and role of Thai academics in that,

Have you thought of publishing papers on your suggested improvements?

Are you sure this is a good idea?

[rubl]

Until he cancel martial law, he is still authoritative and imposing his hard stance on the citizen who can't gather and express their opinion. Soft is never in his vocabulary as he answer to no one.

Read the interim constitution for who PM Gen Prayuth answers to.

BTW I fear some will only be satisfied if PM Prayuth invites Thaksin to come back and take over.

In the mean time I hope Thai will co-operate with NRC and CDC to make a more reliable base for a real democracy.

If you mean Section 19-20, then you surely know that it's necessary to have respect for the form of government especially an interim constitution by the military.

Apart from being selected the NLA 'government' seems a government under a constitution as many a government under a constitution.

It would seem you mixed constitution and government. Maybe rephrase to be a bit more clear? Or are you just hypothetical stating that respect is needed and some don't have that for either constitution or government?

Edited August 23, 2014 by rubl

[rickirs]

Lifting martial law on the day of his swearing in as PM would be a nice gesture to the people of Thailand. Otherwise when you hold all the cards of power over a nation, any "soft approach" will lack credibility.

[ratcatcher]

Academics hope Prayuth will stick with his soft approach as prime minister.

Right. Speak softly and carry a big stick, aka the iron fist in the velvet glove treatment.

[h90]

"Soft" approach? The daily speeches I can deal with. The rounding up of political opponents and sentencing to lengthy prison sentences I don't consider to be a soft approach.

Unfortunately he isn't putting all the corrupt politicians into jail yet....Too soft this approach.

[h90]

Lifting martial law on the day of his swearing in as PM would be a nice gesture to the people of Thailand. Otherwise when you hold all the cards of power over a nation, any "soft approach" will lack credibility.

Why? What is the problem with martial law? Keep it.