EDITORIAL
Time for talking is over
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth and his new administration must now match words with actions, making good on their pledges of "clean" government and reforms that benefit the many, not the few

General Prayuth Chan-ocha promised to perform his duties as prime minister with devotion and honesty after formally receiving the royal command on Monday. He vowed to work to the fullest of his ability for the benefit of the country and the people as a whole. He said he would serve the motherland with the goal of bringing back peace, love and unity among different groups of people.

That is, in fact, what people would expect from any head of government or member of a ruling administration, and particularly at this time, when the country is still reeling from the effects of years of division and conflict.

Since the coup of May 22 Prayuth has used his weekly televised "Returning Happiness" address to make clear his intentions to tackle the country's problems. But actions speak louder than words. The new prime minister will have to work hard in order to prove his sincerity and to retain the support of the public.

To this end Prayuth told fellow junta members at Tuesday's NCPO meeting to help him keep the promise he made during Monday's ceremony.

Prayuth himself might find it relatively easy to prove he's true to his word. But he needs to make sure that members of his Cabinet - which should be formed by the end of next month - also perform their duties with honesty and devotion. To retain public faith, he must ensure that no Cabinet members or their cohorts seek personal gain during his time in office. Should they do so, Prayuth's interim administration will be no different from the elected government whose corruption he cited as a reason for seizing power.

Prayuth might be enjoying a good deal of public support right now, but the fact is he was not elected to power, and that's a weakness. He should bear in mind that he is just an interim prime minister leading an interim government that claims to be politically neutral. His main task is to run the country amid efforts by the National Reform Council and Constitution Drafting Assembly to institute national reforms in 11 areas, as outlined in the provisional charter.

As well as tackling the country's many problems, Prayuth and his interim administration will have to deal with conflicting demands from different groups of people. For example, reform in the country's energy sector are the focus of a profound disagreement between two factions, especially regarding proposed changes to energy giant PTT Plc. Prayuth and his government should make it clear that the concerns and proposals of all factions will be addressed thoroughly and without bias.

Having taken on the dual role of premier and NCPO chief, Prayuth now enjoys greater power than any prime minister in the past three decades. One advantage of this is that decisions can be made swiftly. Also, the National Legislative Assembly is unlikely to pose much of an obstacle to the interim government's actions because the opposing voices of an elected Parliament are absent.

However, pressure will come from the high expectations among many elements in society, and this interim administration will not be able to ignore growing public demand for action toward the betterment of Thailand.

Many problems and headaches lie ahead for Prayuth and his administration. Sincerity and determination in tackling those issues should help them get through, but time is short. According to the NCPO roadmap, they have a little over a year in power before a general election is to be called and a new government elected to replace them.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Time-for-talking-is-over-30241905.html


-- The Nation 2014-08-28

"Since the coup of May 22 Prayuth has used his weekly televised "Returning Happiness" address to make clear his intentions to tackle the country's problems. But actions speak louder than words. The new prime minister will have to work hard in order to prove his sincerity and to retain the support of the public."

What is this article on about.

There has been more "action than words" since Prayuth tool the helm than any government in the past 20 years.

Talk about pot calling the kettle black.

He has spent more time setting up plans to embed his cronies into this new "Interim" Govt than anything else. Yhis is a total setup for military/ Dems/ Minority to gain power via Coup.

Embedding cronies and especially family certainly is a new one for Thailand.

As for a setup for the military to gain power via coup you may not have noticed the military are in full control already.

What a load of cobblers.

As said ''there has been more action in the weeks of this junta than we ever saw in years of previous administrations.''

Yet those sufferers of ''red eye'' (Conjunctivitis) still seem unable or unwilling to understand that the times are a changing.

When words were used a chorus of comment claiming those words were nothing but cheap worthless jibes were heard from the critics.

Now when action is implemented a chorus of words claiming such actions are cronyism in action and as such a halt should be called to those actions.

Interesting to note though that those critics who cry ''cronyism'' were and still are the supporters of a previous administration that thrived on cronyism yet they condoned that administration and its puppets.

One can but only suppose that the ongoing affliction of ''red eye'' has led to a gross impediment to certain peoples visual and mental comprehension skills abilities.

Edited August 28, 201411 yr by siampolee

"To retain public faith, he must ensure that no Cabinet members or their cohorts seek personal gain during his time in office. Should they do so, Prayuth's interim administration will be no different from the elected government whose corruption he cited as a reason for seizing power."

However good the intentions of GP or PMP now? might be, he is putting novices in to positions of power that being Thailand will ensure that many will try to fill their pockets and nothing will have changed.

I would suggest a few more areas for the General to look at. Now that they have declared war on alcohol, why don't they do the same with cigarettes. That is something that would really help the Thai people. Another area the General could look at to stop corruption is the customs offices. They have been ripping off farangs for years. I was at the customs office in Laem Chabang recently and witnessed customs asking a farang who add ordered wheels for his handicapped cart to pay a duty of 5000 baht. They wanted me to pay 3000 baht for 4 bottles of vitamin supplements I ordered from America. Totally ridiculous!

I would suggest a few more areas for the General to look at. Now that they have declared war on alcohol, why don't they do the same with cigarettes. That is something that would really help the Thai people. Another area the General could look at to stop corruption is the customs offices. They have been ripping off farangs for years. I was at the customs office in Laem Chabang recently and witnessed customs asking a farang who add ordered wheels for his handicapped cart to pay a duty of 5000 baht. They wanted me to pay 3000 baht for 4 bottles of vitamin supplements I ordered from America. Totally ridiculous!

I had boxes shipped from Germany to Thailand via one of the major shipping companies, and by the time I finally located my boxes, they had been cut open (apparently by customs) and items removed=stolen. I could not issue a report, the post office claimed it had been a customary inspection, and since I had not listed every single item, I could prove nothing.

Edited August 28, 201411 yr by me313

I have been a staunch supporter of the former " General " now PM, and felt almost all his chess like moves were good for the country but now ....................... am beginning a period of suspicion when new "bans" are announced and many more " Uniforms" appear on the government scene. Only time will tell !

Just this morning an old friend came to visit me, a Thai former marine...Vietnam era.

Strikingly our conversation came to the present political situation.

Without going into his vibrant comments, his passion for a fair and square Thailand were crystal clear.

I listened for at least an hour, hearing a native Thai being just about fed up with the old clique and cliché politrix and excited about the future in progress.

All he said, it's time to give time to this clean-up.

Where the hell have you been...the military started "taking action" immediately...and as far as I can see...have not stopped...

You...who ever you are...safely hide behind the "Nation" identification...

You are not a "patriot" of Thailand...are writing to stir up negative emotions...and are a discredit to this country...

Try giving a credible report next time...or just shut up!

Just this morning an old friend came to visit me, a Thai former marine...Vietnam era.

Strikingly our conversation came to the present political situation.

Without going into his vibrant comments, his passion for a fair and square Thailand were crystal clear.

I listened for at least an hour, hearing a native Thai being just about fed up with the old clique and cliché politrix and excited about the future in progress.

All he said, it's time to give time to this clean-up.

I would bet most Thais would agree with him. In a country where every cop and politician is bent, he has his work cut out for him. Putting his own people in key positions doesn't bother me in the least. He'll need all the support he can get. There are powerful people who will see the gravy train come to a screeching halt and that will piss a lot of people off. He'll have many of these people to overcome.

New sheriff in town. You're friend is right, time to clean this country up.