Thai opinion: Grumpy Prayut versus over-dramatic headline writers

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Grumpy Prayut versus over-dramatic headline writers
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- Now we know exactly what words Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha doesn't like.

Which leaves us wondering if he knows what it is that we like and don't like. Governing a country should be the other way round, shouldn't it? In other words, the ruler should strive to serve the citizens and keep what he doesn't like to himself.

That's democratic, and Prayut is anything but, say his critics, who must be rubbing their hands in glee. Accepting Prayut means accepting that he doesn't like to see such words as "fung" (babbling about pipe dreams) or "woe" (boasting) in newspaper headlines, or the name or pictures of Thaksin Shinawatra on the front pages. In short, Thais are getting what they deserve.

There are two ways to look at it. Prayut is either demonstrating, slowly but surely, his dictatorial traits, or he is simply speaking his heart and showing he's not a used-car salesman. But Thai politics demands that Prayut be less straightforward or demanding. According to the general himself, he did not stage the coup in May to kill off democracy, but to fix a broken parliamentary system threatened by the prospect of civil war.

What he said in Italy was basically that he still cherished genuine democratic values. Whether he genuinely understands democracy is another matter, though. Bad democracy comes in many forms - the one that spawns corruption and tyranny of the majority, or the one that abuses human rights under the guise of national security, or the one that selectively promotes freedom of expression. If Prayut wants to restore Thailand's democracy and nurse it to good health, he must know what lines are not to be crossed.

Banning political gatherings is not democratic, but, given the bloodshed, violence and major disruption in the city during protests in 2010 and earlier this year, it is understandable. TV blackouts and website blockades are not democratic, either, but they have swept a large chunk of hate speech from the airwaves and cyberspace. Soldiers and bunkers on the streets are a bad advertisement for Thailand, but in the days when they were nowhere to be seen, bombs exploded regularly at political rallies.

Prayut can prove that he staged the coup to deal with the violence, bloodshed and hate speech, or he can have critics point at his media "dictation" and suggest other motives. But in truth, it's not the critics that he should be worried about. There are genuine fans of his whom have begun to wonder if he's letting his ego get the better of him. Good leaders try to solve a crisis using only necessary measures; bad leaders often start out as good ones but get lost along the way, becoming paranoid and masking it with words as pre-emptive action.

The Thai media are not the most eloquent or the fairest. But it's their freedom to use words like "fung" or "woe" that has brought to public attention things that the powers-that-be tried to brush under the rug. In a country where the anti-corruption mechanism is far from perfect and often jammed by political influence, "lopsided" coverage actually has some merit. It keeps everybody on their toes. When "fault-finders" are lurking out there, you'd better watch your back and stay absolutely clean.

Which brings us to what Thais really like. We like and want an absolutely clean politics. And since the "reform" pledged by Prayut still seems a long way off, we still need our "imperfect" media, divided and provocative as it is, to function the way it used to. Nobody likes everything the media says, but everyone will hate it more if it says nothing at all.

Last but not least, Prayut can't make Thaksin disappear simply by asking the media not to write about him. And, for purely tactical reasons, if Prayut understands today's politics thoroughly, he will appreciate the difference between Thaksin appearing on the front pages regularly and him emerging only once every two months. It's a no-brainer which has a bigger impact. Strategically speaking, Prayut wouldn't want Thaksin to play hard-to-get with the media.

Another word Prayut doesn't like is "heum" (a popular headline verb which can be roughly translated as "to say something in a threatening manner". For example: NCPO "heum" that planned rallies are illegal. If he knew how headline writers work, he would realise that their rule of thumb is "the shorter, the better". "Heum" is shorter than "tuen" (to warn) when written in Thai.

Granted, "heum" sounds more aggressive than "tuen", but Prayut can't have the best of both worlds. The newspapers may be just helping him to say out loud what's in his mind. You can't beg people not to rally; you have to bang the table and yell "No rally!" It's as simple as that.

So, ideologically, strategically and realistically, Prayut should not even think about removing those words from the front pages. And make no mistake, it's not that Thais like those words. It's just that the public don't like it if leaders go too far in imposing what they like and what they don't.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Grumpy-Prayut-versus-over-dramatic-headline-writer-30247507.html


-- The Nation 2014-11-12

[Fat Haggis]

I'm surprised the editor off the Nation hasn't been pulled in for "educating " at one of the happy camps, as they seem to be ripping into the PM almost daily !!

[The stuttering parrot]

Nice dig but pretty measured.

His supporters must be wondering what is he actually doing?

It starting to look like the honeymoon period is over if there ever was one because slowly but surely the public are starting to see him for what he is and this is reflected in growing criticism of him and his regime in the last 5 or 6 weeks in the media and that's something that must be a worry for the junta .

Fancy seeing a headline starting with grumpy Prayut when he's just finished telling ASEAN everyone was happy.

Then again he wasn't happy in Italy either so he said.

That makes me happy!

[NongKhaiKid]

Now, the question is just how the PM and the junta will respond to increasing criticism ?

[ExPratt]

A Propaganda article disguised as mild criticism to give the hard of thinking answers to embryonic questions that may be dawning in their Brains

"Banning political gatherings is not democratic, but, given the bloodshed, violence and major disruption in the city during protests in 2010 and earlier this year, it is understandable"

. TV blackouts and website blockades are not democratic, either, but they have swept a large chunk of hate speech from the airwaves and cyberspace".

"Soldiers and bunkers on the streets are a bad advertisement for Thailand, but in the days when they were nowhere to be seen, bombs exploded regularly at political rallies."

[scorecard]

Perhaps Khun Tulsathit could find a nice hobby to occupy his obvious spare time, making fried rice or knitting or similar,

Edited November 12, 2014 by scorecard

[chainarong]

Grumpy Chainarong will now point out to the Nation a couple of glaring discrepancies in their article , firstly , a democratically elected government is elected by the people, answers to the people and is an employee of the people (Don't laugh guy's, it is Thailand) a junta doesn't answer to anybody , will dictate the terms of reference and do whatever they want , so if Grumpy Prayuth doesn't like something , stiff titties, now do what you are told, or you could end up working on the Sino - Thai rail network .

[Thailand]

Now, the question is just how the PM and the junta will respond to increasing criticism ?

Dangerous times. The pressures are building along with the criticism.

These guys have given themselves the power to do just what they want so tread carefully.

[WhizBang]

Now, the question is just how the PM and the junta will respond to increasing criticism ?

Likely the same way Thaksin did, with a crackdown on free speech. Only happy thoughts allowed, after all.

[tx22cb]

Nice to see that Prayuth is like many Thais - sensitive at heart underneath a stern exterior.

But beware the fury of a patient General if he snaps ....

[scorecard]

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Nice to see that Prayuth is like many Thais - sensitive at heart underneath a stern exterior.

But beware the fury of a patient General if he snaps ....

How wise you are. A bit like saying Tuesday follows Monday.

[ExPratt]

Overthrown ? no,no,no ,no . He and his party were democratically removed by the Military as most people wanted them out, the fact that they voted for him is neither here nor there

Errr, so, YES, he did get overthrown?

Yes mate , I was being a tad sarcastic. I'll place a smiley next time to avoid confusion

[scorecard]

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Grumpy Chainarong will now point out to the Nation a couple of glaring discrepancies in their article , firstly , a democratically elected government is elected by the people, answers to the people and is an employee of the people (Don't laugh guy's, it is Thailand) a junta doesn't answer to anybody , will dictate the terms of reference and do whatever they want , so if Grumpy Prayuth doesn't like something , stiff titties, now do what you are told, or you could end up working on the Sino - Thai rail network . alt=coffee1.gif width=32 height=24>

And the previous 'democratically elected' government, 'following all democratic principles' did as it pleased, especially

in regard to their own personal interests and the personal interests of their paymaster, squashing freedom of speech and

not giving a damn about what was good for the development of Thailand. In fact never in 10 years and real discussion about

gaining a better quality of life for the good Thai people.

Edited November 12, 2014 by scorecard

[noitom]

This guy says "what Thais really like. We like and want an absolutely clean politics." This is a preposterous claim and is proven by decades of Thai corruption and inept kleptocracy. There can be no credibility attached to anything that this guys says after reading a ludicrous claim like that.

[jpeg]

Now, the question is just how the PM and the junta will respond to increasing criticism ?

Dangerous times. The pressures are building along with the criticism.

These guys have given themselves the power to do just what they want so tread carefully.

Or what? What they gonna do they haven't stuffed up this country's rep enough already. Boo!

[rickirs]

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Grumpy Chainarong will now point out to the Nation a couple of glaring discrepancies in their article , firstly , a democratically elected government is elected by the people, answers to the people and is an employee of the people (Don't laugh guy's, it is Thailand) a junta doesn't answer to anybody , will dictate the terms of reference and do whatever they want , so if Grumpy Prayuth doesn't like something , stiff titties, now do what you are told, or you could end up working on the Sino - Thai rail network . alt=coffee1.gif width=32 height=24>

And the previous 'democratically elected' government, 'following all democratic principles' did as it pleased, especially

in regard to their own personal interests and the personal interests of their paymaster, squashing freedom of speech and

not giving a damn about what was good for the development of Thailand. In fact never in 10 years and real discussion about

gaining a better quality of life for the good Thai people.

'following all democratic principles' did as it pleased" but entirely within the rule of law prescribed by the 2007 Constitution. Yingluck could not even rely on the Constitution to force the Independent Organization Election Commission to hold elections as prescribed by the Constitution. PM Yingluck did and could not wield absolute power over all the three branches of government nor over the Independent Organizations.

On the other hand the military could not legally operate within the Rule of Law and so seized the government, abolished the Constitution, all its attendant human rights, placed itself in absolute power, and absolved itself of any wrongdoing so it could operate with impunity. So who carries the mantle of arrogance and superiority? If a military junta leadership thought it could be held accountable to the People for its alleged crimes against the State, would they be so adventurist and noble?

[metisdead]

Off topic posts and replies have been removed.

[scorecard]

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Grumpy Chainarong will now point out to the Nation a couple of glaring discrepancies in their article , firstly , a democratically elected government is elected by the people, answers to the people and is an employee of the people (Don't laugh guy's, it is Thailand) a junta doesn't answer to anybody , will dictate the terms of reference and do whatever they want , so if Grumpy Prayuth doesn't like something , stiff titties, now do what you are told, or you could end up working on the Sino - Thai rail network . alt=coffee1.gif width=32 height=24>

And the previous 'democratically elected' government, 'following all democratic principles' did as it pleased, especially

in regard to their own personal interests and the personal interests of their paymaster, squashing freedom of speech and

not giving a damn about what was good for the development of Thailand. In fact never in 10 years and real discussion about

gaining a better quality of life for the good Thai people.

'following all democratic principles' did as it pleased" but entirely within the rule of law prescribed by the 2007 Constitution. Yingluck could not even rely on the Constitution to force the Independent Organization Election Commission to hold elections as prescribed by the Constitution. PM Yingluck did and could not wield absolute power over all the three branches of government nor over the Independent Organizations.

On the other hand the military could not legally operate within the Rule of Law and so seized the government, abolished the Constitution, all its attendant human rights, placed itself in absolute power, and absolved itself of any wrongdoing so it could operate with impunity. So who carries the mantle of arrogance and superiority? If a military junta leadership thought it could be held accountable to the People for its alleged crimes against the State, would they be so adventurist and noble?

" 'following all democratic principles' did as it pleased" but entirely within the rule of law ....."

Well you don't surprise.

- Giving voting cards to other people is legal?

- Refusing to allow the opposition to speak on an important matter before parliament when they have right to by law isn't illegal?

- There's also the case of 'within one interpretation of the written law', but immoral.

- There can be a difference between one interpretation of the written law and the true intent of the law.

Edited November 12, 2014 by scorecard

[mikemac]

I'm surprised the editor off the Nation hasn't been pulled in for "educating " at one of the happy camps, as they seem to be ripping into the PM almost daily !!

I don't think things are as bad as some people let on, Fatty, regarding the law against speaking out against the current government etc. Been made to look bad to suit some peoples' agenda, that is the anti-government crowds' modus operandi.

If the muzzling was as stringent as some say it is do you really think TVF would publish some of the anti-government trash talk comments posted on here ?

[chainarong]

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

I'm surprised the editor off the Nation hasn't been pulled in for "educating " at one of the happy camps, as they seem to be ripping into the PM almost daily !!

I don't think things are as bad as some people let on, Fatty, regarding the law against speaking out against the current government etc. Been made to look bad to suit some peoples' agenda, that is the anti-government crowds' modus operandi.

If the muzzling was as stringent as some say it is do you really think TVF would publish some of the anti-government trash talk comments posted on here ? alt=biggrin.png>

Maybe TVF has ben given a little freedom , as you can't say in Thai media some things that are said here.

[Traveler19491]

Perhaps Khun Tulsathit could find a nice hobby to occupy his obvious spare time, making fried rice or knitting or similar,

Ah, yes...mustn't have any criticism of, or sound advice offered to, his holiness the PM, must we?