PM Prayut loses his cool

[Oziex1]

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.

There are a number of problems with your response to Mango Bob. First, you are correct in that there are numerous privileges that come with being in the position of leader of a country. However, evasiveness is not one of them. A leader's first, and primary, responsibility is to be forthright with his people, and that is accomplished via the press. It is the responsibility of a free press to hold its country's leadership accountable. The only disrespect that was shown in this encounter was the total lack of respect shown by the Prime Minister to the press, and by disrespecting the press he is indirectly disrespecting the people. The purpose of any leader is to represent his or her people. The purpose of a free press is to represent the people to those in power. This is how a balance is maintained, and how leadership is held accountable. The only lack of respect that was shown in this encounter is the lack of respect that the Prime Minister showed to the press in practically demanding that they turn a blind eye, and NOT hold him, or his administration, accountable. He expects the press to permit him to gloss over any problems, and ignore them. Cue the "Happy Happy Joy Joy" music.

Second is your assertion that by raising his voice, "That is how you remind a subordinate that they are stepping out of line". What you most obviously fail to grasp is that the subordinate is NOT the press, but the Prime Minister. Anyone in a position of leadership is superior in title only. A true leader recognizes that they are a servant of the people, and last I looked, a servant is always in an inferior position. The Prime Minister is NOT a monarch. In fact, he is not even an elected representative. He is, for lack of a better term, a self-appointed administrator, and administrators are never superiors.

Finally, you malign Mango Bob by making the self important claim that, "Obviously you have always been an underling to not grasp even that simple truth", which would seem to indicate that you feel yourself to be superior. I would ask...superior to what? Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, meaning that the monarch is a monarch in title only, and that the people are ruled by elected representatives. I have unlimited respect and admiration for His Majesty, the King, and for the boundless good that he has brought the people of Thailand. But the Prime Minister is not the King. As I have already illustrated, representatives are servants of the people, and as such are inferior to those they represent. The single biggest problem facing Thailand, and in fact the rest of the free world, is that the elected representatives have forgotten this basic truth. Elected representatives are there to SERVE the people, not the other way around. You have obviously spent your life feeling somehow superior to everyone around you, when the truth for you is far more bleak. As Jesus said, "...whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant". One of the more entrenched problems that prevent Thailand from becoming a first world country is the attitude that you evidenced in your response; an attitude of entitlement by those who are in positions of authority, or who have been fortunate enough to achieve some measure of success. They, for some unknown reason, seem to feel that their position, or their success makes them somehow better than anyone else. Not so. Position in Thailand is frequently due to patronage, and business success often entails corruption. It is that rare individual, in Thailand or anywhere, who is willing to be humble in their position and/or success who is the true leader. Arrogance and conceit are traits of small minded, little people.

Oh, and by the way, these are pretty much the ONLY types of reporters who get into the White House to confront the President. I know...I'm American, and have watched more White House press conferences than your leaders have ever had.

Thanks Traveler need more posts of this quality.

BTW I like the Aussie journos who when interviewing the PM say with respect sir, it is in fact meta speak for I don't respect you at all ! My opinion.

[Traveler19491]

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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.

There are a number of problems with your response to Mango Bob. First, you are correct in that there are numerous privileges that come with being in the position of leader of a country. However, evasiveness is not one of them. A leader's first, and primary, responsibility is to be forthright with his people, and that is accomplished via the press. It is the responsibility of a free press to hold its country's leadership accountable. The only disrespect that was shown in this encounter was the total lack of respect shown by the Prime Minister to the press, and by disrespecting the press he is indirectly disrespecting the people. The purpose of any leader is to represent his or her people. The purpose of a free press is to represent the people to those in power. This is how a balance is maintained, and how leadership is held accountable. The only lack of respect that was shown in this encounter is the lack of respect that the Prime Minister showed to the press in practically demanding that they turn a blind eye, and NOT hold him, or his administration, accountable. He expects the press to permit him to gloss over any problems, and ignore them. Cue the "Happy Happy Joy Joy" music.

Second is your assertion that by raising his voice, "That is how you remind a subordinate that they are stepping out of line". What you most obviously fail to grasp is that the subordinate is NOT the press, but the Prime Minister. Anyone in a position of leadership is superior in title only. A true leader recognizes that they are a servant of the people, and last I looked, a servant is always in an inferior position. The Prime Minister is NOT a monarch. In fact, he is not even an elected representative. He is, for lack of a better term, a self-appointed administrator, and administrators are never superiors.

Finally, you malign Mango Bob by making the self important claim that, "Obviously you have always been an underling to not grasp even that simple truth", which would seem to indicate that you feel yourself to be superior. I would ask...superior to what? Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, meaning that the monarch is a monarch in title only, and that the people are ruled by elected representatives. I have unlimited respect and admiration for His Majesty, the King, and for the boundless good that he has brought the people of Thailand. But the Prime Minister is not the King. As I have already illustrated, representatives are servants of the people, and as such are inferior to those they represent. The single biggest problem facing Thailand, and in fact the rest of the free world, is that the elected representatives have forgotten this basic truth. Elected representatives are there to SERVE the people, not the other way around. You have obviously spent your life feeling somehow superior to everyone around you, when the truth for you is far more bleak. As Jesus said, "...whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant". One of the more entrenched problems that prevent Thailand from becoming a first world country is the attitude that you evidenced in your response; an attitude of entitlement by those who are in positions of authority, or who have been fortunate enough to achieve some measure of success. They, for some unknown reason, seem to feel that their position, or their success makes them somehow better than anyone else. Not so. Position in Thailand is frequently due to patronage, and business success often entails corruption. It is that rare individual, in Thailand or anywhere, who is willing to be humble in their position and/or success who is the true leader. Arrogance and conceit are traits of small minded, little people.

Oh, and by the way, these are pretty much the ONLY types of reporters who get into the White House to confront the President. I know...I'm American, and have watched more White House press conferences than your leaders have ever had.

Good article with exception of the reference to Jesus, however I accept you were trying to make a point but you could have quoted a dozen others to make the same point leaving the religion aspect well out of it.

Thanks to both you and Oziex1 for the flowers. Just so you know, I'm probably one of the least religious people on the planet, and there was zero desire to inject religion. Just quoting an "authority" on humility, of which the target of my post obviously has none.

[tbthailand]

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.

I would have loved to have seen a reporter join him at the podium and point out that anyone with average intelligence, control of the country's army and a firm alliance with anti-democrat royalists could manage the job... and without even mention ugly tourists in bikinis - extra bonus.

[rubl]

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.

I would have loved to have seen a reporter join him at the podium and point out that anyone with average intelligence, control of the country's army and a firm alliance with anti-democrat royalists could manage the job... and without even mention ugly tourists in bikinis - extra bonus.

Disappointing, isn't it?

Mind you, I understand that even in the USA it is being discouraged for reporters to simply join the President on the stage without proper invitation to do so. It seems it's easier to just climb the fence around the White House