Pheu Thai gets a dose of 'attitude adjustment'

[webfact]

Pheu Thai gets a dose of 'attitude adjustment'
The Nation

Ex-ministers Surapong, Chaturon among those summoned

BANGKOK: -- A group of Pheu Thai politicians was yesterday summoned for "attitude adjustment" after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) believed their recent political comments may widen the political rift and cause damage to the country.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, the NCPO head, said people repeatedly summoned would face measures step by step - starting with banning travel out of the country, having their assets investigated and suspending their financial transactions.

Former foreign minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul was escorted by a military team into a vehicle while eating at a restaurant near Muang Thong Thani despite not receiving a summons.

He said the NCPO did not need to issue official summons to detain someone.

He said he did not want to make a mountain out of a molehill and had someone telephone the politicians in question to invite them to come for a talk.

After staging the coup last year, the NCPO broadcast the issuing of summonses.

Prayut did not rule out the possibility of some of the politicians who fronted the junta yesterday staying overnight, saying the security team would decide on a case by case basis if anyone needed to stay longer.

During a press conference, the PM became irritated and slammed the table and raised his voice. However he said he was not angry and was not intoxicated with power.

"What they [the politicians] said was aimed at pressuring me, correct? I have full power but they still challenge me. I have let it go till today because they have crossed the line," he said.

Prayut said the NCPO would also invite former energy minister Pichai Naripthaphan to talk to the junta because of his comment against the administration.

"We had so many problems in the energy sector when he was a minister. Why didn't he do anything?'' he said.

Several Pheu Thai politicians, including Surapong, had made comments that upset Prayut after meeting Daniel Russel, the US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, on Monday.

Surapong had accompanied former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to the meeting and later told Russel that Yingluck's political fate would be no different from that of her brother Thaksin. He also said the introduction of martial law had blocked freedom.

Cherdchai Tantisirin, a former Pheu Thai party-list MP and red shirt, remarked that the impeachment of Yingluck was political and he called on the junta to lift martial law.

Cherdchai, his wife and other red-shirt leaders arrived at Khon Kaen's Sripatcharin Army camp yesterday. They met with Khon Kaen Governor Colonel Prakij Tabtong and other military officials.

Cherdchai said he had made a forthright comment about Russel's visit and he did not want it to provoke turmoil in Khon Kaen. "We put the matter to rest. I want no problem,'' he said.

Former education minister Chaturon Chaisang admitted on social media that he was summoned to meet the junta at the First Army Area yesterday afternoon but he had no idea what the meeting was about.

Red Sunday Group leader Sombat Boonngam-anong said an Army officer rang him on Wednesday and told him the officer's commander did not feel comfortable seeing him wearing a red shirt every Sunday.

Sombat, who is facing a military court trial for leading an anti-coup movement, tweeted yesterday that his red shirts contained the message "we are friends".

Prayut said people should ask themselves if wearing red was appropriate, and he wanted to know what Sombat's intention was.

"Why doesn't Sombat campaign wearing yellow or sky blue? Why must it be red? You know the answer, so don't just carelessly ask me," he said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Pheu-Thai-gets-a-dose-of-attitude-adjustment-30252982.html


-- The Nation 2015-01-30

[docshock13]

And the purge begins in earnest now...

[NeverSure]

Sickening.

[greenchair]

I understand the good general. He does not want anybody to wear red on Sunday. He maybe feels that, when people wear red on Sunday, it is an insult to his power. He might feel that, the people who wear red are against his plan for the country.

However, when people are ordered not to do something, it automatically makes them want to do the opposite. Prayuth should try some reverse psychology. He should order everyone to wear red on Sunday to create the opposite effect ????✏???

[rasmus5150]

It's about time....

[mca]

Let's hope the Thai national football team don't pull any Sunday fixtures

[PepperMe]

people repeatedly summoned would face measures step by step - starting with banning travel out of the country, having their assets investigated and suspending their financial transactions.

Seriously?

How about prison?

Having your assets investigated is a punishment?... It is only a punishment if you have been corrupt. So what they are saying is that they know ALL politicians have been corrupt, and if you are naughty we will call you up on it. When really what they should be doing is investigating all their assets as a matter of default if that is what they truly believe.

Only in Thailand eh.

We know you have been corrupt, but if you are well behaved, we are happy with it.

Edited January 30, 2015 by PepperMe

[marinediscoking]

"The PM became irritated and slammed the table and raised his voice".

Like her or not at least Yingluck was more professional and composed during press conferences. I don't seem to remember her losing her cool even in her darkest hour. Prayuth seems to display more erratic and unpredictable behavior as this continues.

[englishoak]

Getting bolder, tetchy and more arrogant by the day.

Jai yen yen buddy boy.

[robblok]

Stupid reds trying to pressure the junta into letting YL go.

Going against the rule of law threatening again. Not smart its good the army tells them who is boss.

[WhizBang]

This gets more draconian by the minute.

The thing is, the more he tries to control what people do, the more resentment he creates in the people and that includes those not directly affected. This whole thing is going to end up blowing up in his face.

To me, it is becoming obvious that the coup makers have bitten off a lot more than they can chew.

[ratcatcher]

Attitude adjustment that might make some smile.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjFJBBA0ba4

[city]

Two things are becoming apparent here. Firstly the country is being run by a man who, in his whole life has never been told 'no'. Secondly it is dawning on the masses that there is nothing over the horizon other than more suppression and lack of opportunity. Reap what you sow

[gchurch259]

Excuse me, I am a 11 year resident (Retirement Visa, type) and I thought my wife told me the proper color shirt to wear on Sunday is Red.

It is sad, some do not want to believe Thailand needed a purge of the corruption that exist, even today. They learned well from other countries, USA & India.

The biggest problem in Thailand is the very bad education system provided for the lower income families children. If you do not have "Circumspect through learning you will always believe there is no problem". Next is Drugs and Alcohol.

Keep flushing the toilet General !!

[Rykbanlor]

Soon It'll be rat helmets and selling out under the old chestnut tree

[rijb]

Stupid reds trying to pressure the junta into letting YL go.

Going against the rule of law threatening again. Not smart its good the army tells them who is boss.

Believing there is a 'rule of law' is stupid.

An army pushing their weight around is not a legitimate 'rule of law'.

[bkk75]

"The PM became irritated and slammed the table and raised his voice".

Like her or not at least Yingluck was more professional and composed during press conferences. I don't seem to remember her losing her cool even in her darkest hour. Prayuth seems to display more erratic and unpredictable behavior as this continues.

How many times did she show up for meetings and had something intelligent to say or was not scripted by someone else.

This country needs a good cleaning up and even that means dictatorship so be it.

[tx22cb]

What happens at these "Attitude Adjustment" sessions?

Are the victims allowed legal representation?

Are independent observers allowed to be present?

Are the sessions videotaped?

Is there a standard duration of a session, or are they detained until they are "persuaded" to support the Govt policies?

Do the rules of law apply?

Seems to me they are the Thai equivalent of Guantanamo. Which is allowed, I guess, under Martial Law.

But this could backfire - all you need is one stubborn SoB who is not willing to compromise his principles, and the Junta will have created a martyr.

[Cuchulainn]

Haul 'em in and hang 'em high!

Rawhide!!!

[Cuchulainn]

"The PM became irritated and slammed the table and raised his voice".

Like her or not at least Yingluck was more professional and composed during press conferences. I don't seem to remember her losing her cool even in her darkest hour. Prayuth seems to display more erratic and unpredictable behavior as this continues.

How many times did she show up for meetings and had something intelligent to say or was not scripted by someone else.

This country needs a good cleaning up and even that means dictatorship so be it.

Hear hear. Well said. Couldn't agree more.

[binjalin]

They will be issuing Kim haircuts soon

[Lorn]

"The PM became irritated and slammed the table and raised his voice".

Like her or not at least Yingluck was more professional and composed during press conferences. I don't seem to remember her losing her cool even in her darkest hour. Prayuth seems to display more erratic and unpredictable behavior as this continues.

How many times did she show up for meetings and had something intelligent to say or was not scripted by someone else.

This country needs a good cleaning up and even that means dictatorship so be it.

Hear hear. Well said. Couldn't agree more.

Now all we need is to see one or two "democrats" prosecuted and those with a braincell or two might be convinced that corruption is actually being targeted rather than individuals. When one corrupt individual is replaced by someone equally corrupt what is the point in celebrating?

Edited January 30, 2015 by Lorn

[rametindallas]

Wow! Gollum (Surapong), because of his love for 'His Precious' (Thaksin), has overstepped his boundaries that were clearly laid out for him when the Junta took over. As a former conspirator member of Yingluck's Thaksin's government, he is being watched especially close. Let's see if a little 'attitude adjustment' will work on him or if his devotion to 'His Precious' is too strong.

[MaxLee]

A face saving, slap on the wrist and inactive post....

[Lupatria]

He said the NCPO did not need to issue official summons to detain someone.

That's pretty much the same the Gestapo did in Nazi Germany. I wonder when the Singapore style caning applies and if someone is already designing a concentration camp invented by Spaniards in LOS. A Guantanamo style camp is not an option anymore after critical remarks.

Go on Thailand- only copy from the best.

[ttthailand]

A stand to end corruption is one step forward.... Telling people they can't wear red shirts on Sunday is ten steps backward.

OMG what's next ?

[Baerboxer]

people repeatedly summoned would face measures step by step - starting with banning travel out of the country, having their assets investigated and suspending their financial transactions.

Seriously?

How about prison?

Having your assets investigated is a punishment?... It is only a punishment if you have been corrupt. So what they are saying is that they know ALL politicians have been corrupt, and if you are naughty we will call you up on it. When really what they should be doing is investigating all their assets as a matter of default if that is what they truly believe.

Only in Thailand eh.

We know you have been corrupt, but if you are well behaved, we are happy with it.

Your last sentence just about sums things up nicely. I wouldn't imagine many politicians, civil servants, police, military or business people would want their assets and financial history examined too closely.

You can be corrupt as long as you're a good boy or girl and behave how we want you too. Thainess.

[Baerboxer]

"The PM became irritated and slammed the table and raised his voice".

Like her or not at least Yingluck was more professional and composed during press conferences. I don't seem to remember her losing her cool even in her darkest hour. Prayuth seems to display more erratic and unpredictable behavior as this continues.

True - she stormed off in silence from journalists a couple of times but no real display of anger. Whether that's because she's a good actress (remember the tears followed by the laughing when she though the camera off episode) or whether it's because she doesn't really understand what's going on is debatable. Maybe a bit of both. But she has no real interest or passion in driving change - just followed orders.

[smedly]

"The PM became irritated and slammed the table and raised his voice".

Like her or not at least Yingluck was more professional and composed during press conferences. I don't seem to remember her losing her cool even in her darkest hour. Prayuth seems to display more erratic and unpredictable behavior as this continues.

reading off an authored script requires nothing more than reading and smiling - no questions no answers - continue shopping

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

"The PM became irritated and slammed the table and raised his voice".

Like her or not at least Yingluck was more professional and composed during press conferences. I don't seem to remember her losing her cool even in her darkest hour. Prayuth seems to display more erratic and unpredictable behavior as this continues.

what a ridiculous statement, how can you even say professionalism and Yingluck in the same sentence? When have you ever seen the leader of any other country crying in front of the cameras even once (I can't even count how ,any times she did that). She was one of the worst leaders I have seen anywhere in my lifetime.