PM Prayut loses his cool

[webfact]

PRAYUT
PM loses his cool

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha lost his temper with a veteran reporter at a press conference on Tuesday, following a Cabinet meeting at Government House.

Excerpts of the exchange:

You [the premier] don't answer our questions straight, to the point, and don't address issues we ask about.

No. When I conclude, I have to ensure that I explain and describe for you [reporter] a clear picture and create a learning process.

We already have the basic knowledge.

[starting to raise his voice.] Do you have the knowledge to administer the country like me? You just write, think, and speak, that's all. And what do I do? I think, write, give orders, follow up on the work and write the plans. Anyone who can write [the plan as I do] please come and stand here.

Please don't get angry.

You can't insult me this way.

We aren't insulting you, but we want to get further information for our questions.

When incorrect information is published, do you [the media] apologise to me?

The newspaper will take responsibility.

I don't know. It is everyone's responsibility. You cannot speak this way. You have to reform the media for me. How will you people regulate each other?

This will reduce the conflict. I personally accept and respect you. Please don't get angry at me.

Prayut then smiled, wai-ed the reporter and apologises to the media before leaving.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-loses-his-cool-30245572.html


-- The Nation 2014-10-16

[ClutchClark]

The ageneral is a good and respectful man.

The reporter failed to show respect for the man and the position of PM.

[Somtamnication]

Nice guy! Stress is showing. Maybe his brother's wealth should not have come to light.

[ScubaPhuket]

He's gonna pop!

[ClutchClark]

Nice guy! Stress is showing. Maybe his brother's wealth should not have come to light.

Well a hater is going to hate.

I guess if you can't find any dirt on the General then hold him responsible for his brother...his brothers wealth.

I think the General should do what world leaders do everywhere else--get a spokesperson and limit access of reporters.

[Mango Bob]

He seems to forget he is not a general anymore. Let someone else runs the country if he can't handle a little pressure from the press.

[ClutchClark]

He seems to forget he is not a general anymore. Let someone else runs the country if he can't handle a little pressure from the press.

Its unfortunate that you can't comprehend there is privilege that comes with the position of being a leader of a country.

That is one of respect.

Do you think the US President would even allow a reporter like this in? No, part of being granted a Press Pass is to be respectful.

The PM raised his voice. That is how you remind a subordinate that they are stepping out of line.

Obviously you have always been an underling to not grasp even that simple truth.

[chooka]

The certainly is full of himself and plastered tickets on himself. He seems to think he is the only one who can run the country, the country he stole from the people. The world is laughing at him and he can't see it. Mirror, mirror on the wall who the brightest and greatest ruler in the world.

[NongKhaiKid]

The ageneral is a good and respectful man.

The reporter failed to show respect for the man and the position of PM.

Is ' failing to show respect ' your definition of simply falling in line. accepting all that's said and never asking awkward questions ?

[cgphuket]

Careful, your gonna get CluthchClark upset, by telling the truth about his hero.

The certainly is full of himself and plastered tickets on himself. He seems to think he is the only one who can run the country, the country he stole from the people. The world is laughing at him and he can't see it. Mirror, mirror on the wall who the brightest and greatest ruler in the world.

[kmj]

He seems to forget he is not a general anymore. Let someone else runs the country if he can't handle a little pressure from the press.

Its unfortunate that you can't comprehend there is privilege that comes with the position of being a leader of a country.

That is one of respect.

Do you think the US President would even allow a reporter like this in? No, part of being granted a Press Pass is to be respectful.

The PM raised his voice. That is how you remind a subordinate that they are stepping out of line.

Obviously you have always been an underling to not grasp even that simple truth.

I was development manager for 250 people at sony and never had to raise my voice, respect is earned... you can't shout to get respect

[canuckamuck]

Very telling, that his response to request to answer their questions without deflection, brings him to anger.

And then saying that the press needs to be reformed.

The Thai press is already cowed and Thailand is ranked very low for freedom of the press. How much of a step will it be until the government written releases will be the only sanctioned news source.

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” – Jim Rohn

[englishoak]

Someone needs a cuddle.....

[Boxclever]

"Sir, the pheasants are revolting"..."yes, the great un-washed"

[NongKhaiKid]

He seems to forget he is not a general anymore. Let someone else runs the country if he can't handle a little pressure from the press.

Its unfortunate that you can't comprehend there is privilege that comes with the position of being a leader of a country.

That is one of respect.

Do you think the US President would even allow a reporter like this in? No, part of being granted a Press Pass is to be respectful.

The PM raised his voice. That is how you remind a subordinate that they are stepping out of line.

Obviously you have always been an underling to not grasp even that simple truth.

In disciplined services there's respect for a uniform and rank but respect for the person has to be earned if it's genuine and not sycophantic.

Your attitude suggests Thailand will never progress as the leader can say what he wants and if questioned simply raises his voice and that's it.

By the way how is a reporter his subordinate or are you suggesting being PM gives him all embracing power and authority ?

[Prbkk]

Prayut then smiled, wai-ed the reporter and apologises to the media before leaving.

A very good recovery.

A lot better than the previous PM who either broke down and cried or ran away down the hall at the slightest pressure by the press.

Next.

Is this a faulty memory or just general misogyny? She DID NO SUCH THING. She had her faults but this is a rewriting history.

As for the General, being a bit grumpy is to be expected and is acceptable during his 'honeymoon'. However, the honeymoon is drawing to a close and reality is setting in. His minders need to step up and give some help, nothwithstanding the reluctance to question/advise him.

Most importantly, he needs to start delivering on some of the statements rather than just offering words. Some of the pronouncements are fading already and starting to look like rhetoric...'same old, same old' is looking more likely with each passing day.

[andygunther]

Nice guy! Stress is showing. Maybe his brother's wealth should not have come to light.

Well a hater is going to hate.

I guess if you can't find any dirt on the General then hold him responsible for his brother...his brothers wealth.

I think the General should do what world leaders do everywhere else--get a spokesperson and limit access of reporters.

Then he always has someone to blame on .... for incorrect information or behaves 555555

[bertty]

If this had happened in the western world once that reporter had smelt blood it would have started to get interesting.

If you cant handle the pressure etc.

[cardinalblue]

CC,

You are such a homer that your responses end up sounding clueless,,,

Obama gets raked over the coals by reporters journalists and writers...if the General took the abuse Obama gets, he would throw them in jail and that's the between having a democratic society and one that isn't...

Why is the Generals brother so wealthy? Maybe the General too? Are we sure he even has a thai birth certificate?

CB

[thesetat2013]

He seems to forget he is not a general anymore. Let someone else runs the country if he can't handle a little pressure from the press.

Its unfortunate that you can't comprehend there is privilege that comes with the position of being a leader of a country.

That is one of respect.

Do you think the US President would even allow a reporter like this in? No, part of being granted a Press Pass is to be respectful.

The PM raised his voice. That is how you remind a subordinate that they are stepping out of line.

Obviously you have always been an underling to not grasp even that simple truth.

In disciplined services there's respect for a uniform and rank but respect for the person has to be earned if it's genuine and not sycophantic.

Your attitude suggests Thailand will never progress as the leader can say what he wants and if questioned simply raises his voice and that's it.

By the way how is a reporter his subordinate or are you suggesting being PM gives him all embracing power and authority ?

Your attitude suggests Thailand will never progress as the leader can say what he wants and if questioned simply raises his voice and that's it.

This reminds me of a previous leaders attitude toward the press..... He fled Thailand after the Gen. took over last time.

[2fishin2]

The ageneral is a good and respectful man.

The reporter failed to show respect for the man and the position of PM.

This is a fallacy. The reporter DOES NOT have to show respect!

This is why this country will never prosper or come out of the dark ages. The current bully does not respect anyone and DEMANDS people respect him. What a world these oppressed Thais live in? So sad....

[kimamey]

Prayut then smiled, wai-ed the reporter and apologises to the media before leaving.

A very good recovery.

A lot better than the previous PM who either broke down and cried or ran away down the hall at the slightest pressure by the press.

Next.

Is this a faulty memory or just general misogyny? She DID NO SUCH THING. She had her faults but this is a rewriting history.

As for the General, being a bit grumpy is to be expected and is acceptable during his 'honeymoon'. However, the honeymoon is drawing to a close and reality is setting in. His minders need to step up and give some help, nothwithstanding the reluctance to question/advise him.

Most importantly, he needs to start delivering on some of the statements rather than just offering words. Some of the pronouncements are fading already and starting to look like rhetoric...'same old, same old' is looking more likely with each passing day.

Well answering questions was never her strong point but then doing the job of PM wasn't what she was chosen for. Her best quality was her lack of aggression and ability to at least see to be willing to compromise. Unfortunately she wasn't in charge so she didn't get much chance to use it.

I said some time ago when it was suggested that the general might go into politics that there's a difference between giving orders that have to be obeyed and politics in a real democracy like the one he says he wants. That requires the gaining of consensus, particularly if you don't have a majority. It seems the test is coming sooner than expected with the murders on Koh Tao. The eyes of the press from countries he can't control are asking questions and what he says doesn't always get agreement.

When incorrect information is published, do you [the media] apologise to me?

What about his statement that the British government was happy about the investigation and didn't summon the Thai chargé d'affaires to explain. Will he complain to the British government about the lies on their website, or will he apologise for the incorrect information given.

He made a good start to the job but now he has to show how good he really is and as someone trained to give orders and have them carried out he might find it stressful at times. How he copes with that will make a difference to how he is remembered.

[ClutchClark]

CC,

You are such a homer that your responses end up sounding clueless,,,

Obama gets raked over the coals by reporters journalists and writers...if the General took the abuse Obama gets, he would throw them in jail and that's the between having a democratic society and one that isn't...

Why is the Generals brother so wealthy? Maybe the General too? Are we sure he even has a thai birth certificate?

CB

Hey Gomer ;-)

Any chance you are a fan of Les Kinsolving?

Actually many would argue that the Press tosses Obama softballs because they have always loved him--thats been true from the beginning but has changed the past couple years after Obama opened a new Press Briefing Room which most reporters felt marginlized them.

But you are correct it is more difficult to have a Press Pass revoked than I suggested. Insteaad, Obama simply refuses to hold Press Conferences and has occasionally gone as long as 8 weeks without a Press Call. (How long has the General done as much?)

Does the General have a Press Secretary?

The main point I was making and which you missed by a wide margin is that the General has every right to get peturbed at a rude Reporter and all of you cry like he just instituted Prohibition. I continue to find it quite humorous that so many farang glorified tourists think their opinion should even matter in Thailand.

Thailand has made so many positive inroads in less than one year time and already so many here on TV are back to their incessant complaining. Read back over the past couple years posts and TV members were complaining about all the things the General is cracking down on but TV'ers are still complaining.

I find it so funny. You guys complain when you are back in your home countries so you move here and then you complain when you are here ;-)

Cheers

Edited October 16, 2014 by ClutchClark

[ATF]

I was development manager for 250 people at sony and never had to raise my voice, respect is earned... you can't shout to get respect

Eh Umm! Aren't Sony almost bankrupt now?

[ClutchClark]

Obama loses cool?

Or

President Obama lets a reporter know who is the Boss?

Examples of how it works in a Democracy.

Edited October 16, 2014 by ClutchClark

[ExPratt]

I wonder if he loses his cool when he's asked why there were no elections in 2015

[tx22cb]

Thailand needs more reporters like this one - not the usual kowtowing obsequious note-takers.

A strong democracy needs independent reporters who are willing to ask the difficult questions, spotlight inefficiencies of the government, persist and dig deeper when the replies are ambiguous.

With this in place, politicians will improve, 'cause they will know that they can no longer get away with a wimpy Press, and the politicians will have to improve their professionalism and conduct.

[mommysboy]

Nobody is above questioning or criticism, it goes with the territory. Although it can be abused, media has an important role in moderating power.

Sent from my i-mobile IQ 1 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[daveAustin]

Obama loses cool?

Or

President Obama lets a reporter know who is the Boss?

Nice try, but you're trying to compare apples n oranges. As much as I'm not into the bloke, Obama was being heckled. The General, on the other hand, was being asked a simple question, calmly, and he didn't like it simply because he was being questioned. It is not the Thai way to question a senior, period, and he was just being typical. Please tell me you are new to Thailand? Edited October 16, 2014 by daveAustin