Prayuth takes responsibility for his comments 'as a gentleman'
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In his weekly TV programme yesterday, Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha explained why he sometimes used harsh words, adding that he apologised for every inappropriate comment he has made so far.

In his "Returning Happiness to People" show last night, Prayuth said he realised that sometimes he makes inappropriate remarks that may be impolite or strongly worded, but said he was only expressing how strongly he felt about certain issues.

"I try to improve myself continuously. I have been a soldier for almost all my life - 38 years in the Army, spending most of my time with junior officers. A gentleman must apologise if he says things that are impolite or inappropriate. I respect and honour everybody," he said.

He also apologised for the remarks he made about tourists wearing bikinis and his harsh words against red-shirt activist Kritsuda Khunasen.

"As a gentleman, I take responsibility for my words and actions. I apologise to you all," he said.

He added that he still thought like a soldier, even though some may think he speaks like a politician.

"Soldiers think of results first because we have limited time and funds. Hence I am focusing on the real needs and concerns of the people, not those of a political faction or interest groups," he said.

He said future politicians should be prepared to take up this government's missions in the future.

"What cannot be done in a short term, you [future politicians] will have to continue. Those who cannot make preparations or are unwilling to change, then you will continue causing problems in the future if you are elected again. You need to prepare," he said.

Prayuth also said he had no problem with populist policies, provided they did not cause more problems in the future, such as public debts, unequal benefits or corruption. Otherwise, these projects would have to be eliminated. He added that no populist policy should be the cause of household debt.

"We have to consider public debt and household debt. We will not use the taxpayer's money or official budgets on projects that will cause long-term problems," he said.

He said the government was looking into taxes and other issues, while the National Legislative Assembly was still examining matters such as inheritance and land taxes.

"I have set some guidelines on how it should be formalised and how it can be realised in every sector. As for those in the low-income bracket, don't be afraid. You don't have to sell your land to pay taxes," Prayuth said.

He also said the media should ensure that they were not disseminating false information, adding that if another confrontation broke out because of misleading news reports, then there would be no hope for reform.

"You have to join us in being responsible and accountable because these conflicts stem from false or corrupted information. Please don't force us to use more laws, as it will inconvenience everybody," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayuth-takes-responsibility-for-his-comments-as-a-30243701.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-20

I think he is the best leader Thailand has presented to the world thus far

This guy should of become a comedian IMHO, I love his attitude and how he goes against being politically correct.

This guy should of become a comedian IMHO, I love his attitude and how he goes against being politically correct.

There's no need for political correctness, it hides the truth.

Young pretty women are above all other groups of people in serious danger of being attacked, raped or worse by drug crazed maniacs whenever they step out alone late at night in Thailand.

Prayuth knows this, pretty much everyone who lives here knows this. The tourists often don't know this.

What we have here is a leader who's telling it the way it is (pointing out the faults of the society in which we live) and people don't like it. They probably wouldn't like it if he glossed over the issues either, then again there's no pleasing some people.

"You have to join us in being responsible and accountable because these conflicts stem from false or corrupted information. Please don't force us to use more laws, as it will inconvenience everybody," he said.

In other words, "do as your told, tow the line laid out or else"

Sounds like threats to me, seriously this is a good and positive message, really?

An overly inflammatory post has been removed from view

At least he is man enough to admit his mistakes. Not something you hear much in Thailand.

Yes, he is a soldier and thinks like one. They are not always known for their tact.

I have to admit I am not too keen on a military government in any country, but Thailand did need something to happen. At least he gives the impression of trying to wade through some very difficult situations and rectify many things. For me time and the future will tell if he is doing a good job.

It's good he admits he was stupid, but for me that doesn't make it all good.

The comment showed what he thought and it's despicable (even after the apology , which is very much appreciated).

"You have to join us in being responsible and accountable because these conflicts stem from false or corrupted information. Please don't force us to use more laws, as it will inconvenience everybody," he said.

In other words, "do as your told, tow the line laid out or else"

Sounds like threats to me, seriously this is a good and positive message, really?

Western media won't buy it

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I don't understand why posters have an issue with a Thai politician who immediately upon realizing that something he said required an apology and clarification, and THEN GAVE IT openly and humbly would have a problem with this?

He has set a great example of taking responsibility for his own actions

something that TV posters scream bloody murder about Thai's not doing as a culture,

this is a great step forward for Thailand, for anyone with a forward looking thinking process

I think he is the best leader Thailand has presented to the world thus far

I was hoping so too, but have lost all respect for the bloke after his typical Thainess comments regards the Koh Tao incident. He may have apologized in part for his comment upsetting 'some' people, but the damage is done, you know what he's thinking. He could only be the 'best leader' due to his army status and forcing his way in. IMO the most rounded, down to earth leader Thailand could ever hope to have is Mark, but unfortunately this country is just not ready for that quality of statesman.

Edited September 19, 201411 yr by daveAustin

""You have to join us in being responsible and accountable because these conflicts stem from false or corrupted information. Please don't force us to use more laws, as it will inconvenience everybody," he said."

I guess, it could be said, he is using the 'carrot and stick' approach!

"You have to join us in being responsible and accountable because these conflicts stem from false or corrupted information. Please don't force us to use more laws, as it will inconvenience everybody," he said.

In other words, "do as your told, tow the line laid out or else"

Sounds like threats to me, seriously this is a good and positive message, really?

Maybe a lot of pats on the back are from shock at someone in his position accepting responsibility since saying the right thing isn't always the done thing depending on who you are.

If the general didn't already know he must have learned in the last week that as a country's leader you have to be careful what you say as ridiculous and insensitive comments from the BIB, tourist officials and his own rang around the world in a very negative light.

Maybe the local media can be controlled but the international version is a different matter unless of course they are blocked or banned which just gives them an even bigger story.

I think he is the best leader Thailand has presented to the world thus far

I was hoping so too, but have lost all respect for the bloke after his typical Thainess comments regards the Koh Tao incident. He may have apologized in part for his comment upsetting 'some' people, but the damage is done, you know what he's thinking. He could only be the 'best leader' due to his army status and forcing his way in. IMO the most rounded, down to earth leader Thailand could ever hope to have is Mark, but unfortunately this country is just not ready for that quality of statesman.

Mark-who?

Twain?

Zuckerberg?

O Polo?

Marky Mark?

As usual, at first I like this approach, which seems as much naive as kind. But then, you never know if it is for real or it is calculated. I had 20 terrible years of Berlusconi's government and he used this method of throwing something to the media and then in some case say he was sorry. It can be also a technique (the message arrives but you are not to blame). Very hard to know the true (not in the case of Berlusconi, he always applied techniques, but with the Thais at that level).

But maybe we can pretend it is true, some of these peculiarities make Thailand so lovely

Credit where credit is due here. Prayuth has bravely told the rest of the world that Thailand isn't quite the smiling paradise that has been carefully crafted in the minds of the holiday industry copywriters. TAT will be tearing it's hair out at his honesty.

OK, after the recent insensitively worded comments he's made, I'm very pleased to see a public apology made now. That's at least one small step in the right direction. He's learning "how" you say something is just as important as "what" you say which is something I really didn't expect a Thai at this level to change their stance on much.

Gentleman

He must be kidding.

It's good he admits he was stupid, but for me that doesn't make it all good.

The comment showed what he thought and it's despicable (even after the apology , which is very much appreciated).

He apologised. Have you never said something off the cuff only to realise soon after you made a mistake? What he said was stupid at worst and niave at best. He knows this and stood up to it.

Those in glass houses and all that spring to mind. I am neither a fan of his nor am I against him. It takes a huge loss of face for a Thai to admit they were wrong. Hats off to him and move on.

Is anybody compiling a list of GW Bush like gaffes?

Will be great material for stand up comedian,if and when they are allowed to be used in that context.

His comments were hugely insensitive but the world needs strong robust leaders, not liberal apologists. " Telling it like it is " will not win him a huge amount of admirers or friends, but he doesn't need too many of those anyway. What he needs is respect for the job that he is doing and respect to follow what he says. Military Men seldom sugar coat things - but they do lead from the front and they do tend to get things done. I can forgive him for his inappropriate comments, the best thing he can do now is to bring in the right quality of resources and get this case solved. We all have " limitations " and it takes a strong man to understand, recognize and accept when additional help is required. Some respect will be restored for Thailand once this case is resolved - no one will give a sh*t what equipment / resources were key in catching these perps - just as long as they are brought to justice and not allowed to slip through the net !!

any one of us could have said the very same thing

he probably didnt have all the facts anyway as, he has kids stabbing their bunk mates over whose laundry wasnt done

Very refreshing.

Most politicians would still be trying to spin their way out of it.

General now The Thailand new P.M. Pryuth is a Gentleman, not scare to ( asian old style ) lose face when quoted wrong out of context, enabling him to admit his error ( was it is one ? obviously taken out of context, misinterpreted in UK, as P.M. Prayuth is right there are places for bikinis wearing and places for not wearing them to avoid animal basic educated or not male instincts with alcohol added to be triggered ), apologize for it and thinking forward looking for with the next issue !

Congratulations to the P.M.to be who he is with his appreciated wisdom !

look he said the wrong thing 100% - but most of us know what he was getting at even though it was in appropriate

Thailand as a major tourist destination should be providing a safe environment for tourists as a number one priority - they have had long enough to perfect it and yet it remains a challenge, considering it is a major/critical part of the economy here they need to do better, if I was running a company and a particular sector was 10-15% of my revenue then I'd be right on top of it

"You have to join us in being responsible and accountable because these conflicts stem from false or corrupted information. Please don't force us to use more laws, as it will inconvenience everybody," he said.

In other words, "do as your told, tow the line laid out or else"

Sounds like threats to me, seriously this is a good and positive message, really?

Western media won't buy it

Well, The Western Media are hardly a benchmark given their behaviours and bias.

He shows the most promise of ANY Thai prime minister or dictator EVER. Let's hope he can keep up his good work for a long time and he gets support from the people around him.

I Thai PM apologising to everyone for his words and actions, I love it.

Give this man a medal he, is a champion.

Lets hope he can weed out the rot and change the country for the better.

I don't understand why posters have an issue with a Thai politician who immediately upon realizing that something he said required an apology and clarification, and THEN GAVE IT openly and humbly would have a problem with this?

He has set a great example of taking responsibility for his own actions

something that TV posters scream bloody murder about Thai's not doing as a culture,

this is a great step forward for Thailand, for anyone with a forward looking thinking process

It wasn't that long ago you was slating Thailand in another post, telling everyone on tv you would not be returning anytime soon from the USA. Pray tell me, how did you completely change your whole itinerary so quickly and became so passionate for Thai life ...

Mind Boggles ??????