TELL IT AS IT IS
Our prime minister deserves every chance to make it work
Pornpimol Kanchanalak
Special to The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, once said, "Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." Nobody could tell if he was just philosophising, or if he was reminding himself that despite the hardship, heartache and headache his position was giving him, it was all worthwhile.

Every conscientious leader works incredibly hard, because every buck stops with him or her. We often see them age before our eyes. Running a country is not for the fainthearted, and it is always lonely at the top. One never quite knows whom, if anyone, to trust. The convolutions of the job can only be fully appreciated by the person who actually occupies the highest office of the land.

Prime Minister Prayut came to that office with the odds stacked against him. The military coup that halted the massive street protest and ended the threat of bloodshed was never a popular move. He did not rush into making it, instead waiting until every other political option was exhausted. With the stand-off between opposing parties erupting into violence in which war weapons were deployed, military intervention was necessary to restore law and order. The "democracy" it halted had been exploited with impunity by self-serving politicians to a degree unimaginable to the Western world. As such it never had a chance to become truly full-fledged and enduring.

Staging the coup was perhaps the easiest part. Forming a cohesive and able government was never going to be a simple task. For Prayut, the job was made much harder by a deeply divided country in which "questionable" elements could not be avoided. But like American president Lyndon Johnson, he might have figured it was better to have those elements inside the tent pissing out, rather than outside pissing in. Every decision seems to require difficult trade-offs.

Then the job of establishing reform and legislative bodies proved more challenging than anybody realised. Old ties, inextinguishable bad habits, personal agendas and egos, preferences and bias were abundant. The Western press likes to say it was him and him alone who appointed all of them, as if there was one homogenous group that he could handpick. But in fact, there was no such thing, nor was there the possibility that the premier could cherry-pick from the best and brightest, let alone have absolute control over their selection. Everybody in these two important chambers also knows that there are more factions than one can count, even in the military sphere, and many have opted to hedge their bets. But in truth, most members of the two bodies have been working long, hard days. They have passed a slew of draft laws that were left untouched by the previous Parliament, many of whose members cared more about lucrative rewards and back-door dealings than their job as legislators. There are many new bills now under deliberation that are unavoidably controversial and difficult, and it is the prime minister who is being targeted for criticism, as if he alone could make all those issues disappear and completely satisfy all sides. In many cases, Prayut is expected to make hay when the sun is not shining. How can that be humanly possible?

Then there is the major issue of the populace and country's economic wellbeing, after trillions of baht were syphoned into private hands during the previous administration. The current government faces double jeopardy on this front. First, it has the enviable task of restoring fiscal discipline conveniently sacrificed during the previous administration in the name of populist policies. That means belt-tightening. Second, it is facing plunging world prices for two commodities that are major foreign exchange earners - rice and rubber. The Asean market, once Thailand's vital export destination, has been lost to cheap Chinese products. The economies of several of our major export markets are in the doldrums, and hence our shrinking export volume. That means more taxes therefore are needed to close the gaping holes in public finances. That cannot make the government popular, but it has no other choice.

Internationally, Thailand is receiving rather a bum rap. The world seems to be fixated on the coup, preferring to ignore the events that led up to it. It is understandable that the United States and European Union, who see themselves as guardians of democracy and democratic values, would want to turn a cold shoulder on Thailand. But it is rather difficult to comprehend the double standards they are displaying over military coups. Two years ago, Egypt experienced a military takeover which resulted in the deaths of many citizens and the incarceration of thousands. The new military regime was accepted and even commended by the West. The military government in Thailand committed no such atrocities. But that fact was conveniently lost on the West.

Last but not least, the unrealistic expectations of Thais for the prime minister to be Mr Fix-it, a panacea for all the country's ills, must have given Prayut many sleepless nights. He takes his job very seriously, and the tasks in front of him are monumental. And on top of that, he has to rectify grievous wrongs committed by the previous government, as well as making people feel that their lives are improving under his administration. No one gives him the benefit of the doubt, but with less than a year in office, he can only do so much, even if he works 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Winston Churchill once said that democracy was the worst form of government, except for all the others. What the Thai prime minister has been trying to do is to lay strong foundations for democratic rule in Thailand. As Henry David Thoreau put it: "If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."

This one honest man, whose straight and aboveboard talk has often got him in hot water, one without a huge ego, one who can apologise, one who is willing to listen and change the government's stand on issues such as petroleum exploration concessions to be sure it is in the nation's best interest, and one who is so stressed out by the multifaceted warranted and unwarranted challenges … this man deserves every chance and our support to complete his task.

Lest we forget, it is never about him. It is about all of us.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Our-prime-minister-deserves-every-chance-to-make-i-30255817.html

-- The Nation 2015-03-12

why do the most anti-democratic writers and speakers like to start with quotes from true democrats?

Yep, Teddy Roosevelt and Winston Churchill stole democracy from the people and their examples should be followed - oh wait.

More nonsense from the Nation. And there I was thinking that their editorial policy was changing and they were publishing more objective and sensible articles recently.

I agree. Every prime minister, once elected by the people, deserves every chance to make it work.

The rest of the article is complete and utter nonsense.

Puke. Its Pauline again spewing more BS. Prime minister? What prime minister? This country doesnt have a PM. Only a general that took over the country by force and bestowed the title of PM upon himself.

All those words to soft-soap a man who is starting to lose the plot? This sentence is especially galling:

"This one honest man, whose straight and aboveboard talk has often got him in hot water, one without a huge ego, one who can apologise, one who is willing to listen ..."

Jeez, Pornpimol, do you walk around with your eyes and ears closed? The bottom line is that the general is displaying classic signs of megalomania ... this is what you should be questioning and whether he should step aside for a more balanced personality.

What a load of Horse Shit

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hee hee hee hee ha ha ha ha

"he might have figured it was better to have those elements inside the tent pissing out, rather than outside pissing in." I am pissing myself laughing at this rubbish!

"after trillions of baht were syphoned into private hands during the previous administration"..."That means more taxes therefore are needed to close the gaping holes in public finances"

What don't the regime stop the syphoning and see if that closes the gap before adding more taxes. As corruption is still out of control and as yet few have been held accountable, seems like the "pie" to be sliced from raising taxes is just either larger pieces or more slices to those who rule.

Yes! Keep on pissing in the Pool.

The world is fixated with people depose elected governments. Life in the middle east is far more tumultuous. Thailand has had peace for decades and it still cannot sort itself out.

"TELL IT AS IT IS"

Yes, Pornpimol Kanchanalak- start telling it, as it is!

Because your utter and total nonsense article has ZERO to do with "as it is"!

Don't made democracy any more harder by coups. Keep changing the constitution also is not helpful. Military must keep their guns outwards, not inwards. Strengthen the rule of law with a fair and just judiciary. Corruption must be punished by equal dispensation of deterrent for rich and poor. Lastly, only legit power to the upper and lower house from the people. Khun Pompimol should have said "our democracy deserves every chance to made it work".

Lots of whining and semi-literate rants by red-shirts here - but not a single argument against any of the points made in the article.

If you people had made similar criticisms against the dirty Pheu-Thai cronies and their ego-driven, power crazy master then I might have the slightest shred of respect for your opinion. But you didn't.

This article hits the nail on the head and you find the truth very uncomfortable.

Yep, Teddy Roosevelt and Winston Churchill stole democracy from the people and their examples should be followed - oh wait.

well Prayut didn't steal democracy from the people or which legal and correct elected government was in power when he took over.

Lots of whining and semi-literate rants by red-shirts here - but not a single argument against any of the points made in the article.

If you people had made similar criticisms against the dirty Pheu-Thai cronies and their ego-driven, power crazy master then I might have the slightest shred of respect for your opinion. But you didn't.

This article hits the nail on the head and you find the truth very uncomfortable.

The OP mentions the prime minister "should" be given a chance. This predicates that there exists some possibility that he might not be given one. The reality is no one has a choice in the matter. He has taken his chance and there is nothing anyone can do about it whether they chose to give him a chance or not.

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

Lots of whining and semi-literate rants by red-shirts here - but not a single argument against any of the points made in the article.

If you people had made similar criticisms against the dirty Pheu-Thai cronies and their ego-driven, power crazy master then I might have the slightest shred of respect for your opinion. But you didn't.

This article hits the nail on the head and you find the truth very uncomfortable.

Yes John we're all out and out Red shirt agitators. I think its just a case of knowing &lt;deleted&gt; when we read it. Its not really worth arguing with people who support Juntas anyway ,

I wasn't aware of Josef Goebbels reincarnation, neither he would return as a woman in Thailand. Is she limping?

The Nation once more begins the long backslide into anus kissing and kow-tows.....

Lots of whining and semi-literate rants by red-shirts here - but not a single argument against any of the points made in the article.

If you people had made similar criticisms against the dirty Pheu-Thai cronies and their ego-driven, power crazy master then I might have the slightest shred of respect for your opinion. But you didn't.

This article hits the nail on the head and you find the truth very uncomfortable.

I would like to see what glasses you are wearing if you think that the article 'hits the nail on the head'.

How about comparing the present leader with a democratically elected prime minister for starters. As for the colour shirt I am wearing an orange one. Nothing to do with childish politics.

I could go on with more but as most posters have written the article belongs in the toilet.

Lots of whining and semi-literate rants by red-shirts here - but not a single argument against any of the points made in the article.

If you people had made similar criticisms against the dirty Pheu-Thai cronies and their ego-driven, power crazy master then I might have the slightest shred of respect for your opinion. But you didn't.

This article hits the nail on the head and you find the truth very uncomfortable.

So, according to your logic, anybody who disagrees with military government is automatically a red shirt? That's a pretty ridiculous assumption to make.

Glad to see I'm not the only one who can't bear her!

Lots of whining and semi-literate rants by red-shirts here - but not a single argument against any of the points made in the article.

If you people had made similar criticisms against the dirty Pheu-Thai cronies and their ego-driven, power crazy master then I might have the slightest shred of respect for your opinion. But you didn't.

This article hits the nail on the head and you find the truth very uncomfortable.

At the moment, the current government has hurt business, quashed free speech and asks its less than happy populous to come around military installation for an attitude adjustment. Many westerners find this and the coup intolerable. Talking about the red shirts now is a waste of time. They were so last year.

why do the most anti-democratic writers and speakers like to start with quotes from true democrats?

leader? i thought he was the coup leader, ...... huh does that still count as a leader ? :-)

Prime ministers are ordinarily elected by the people, and as such this legitimacy gives them the right to have the time to do their job.

This hardly applies to this prime minister does it now. His legitimacy comes from a gun.

In regard to both the USA and European Union, where is their comment on the lack of democracy in both Singapore and Malaysia?

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

In regard to both the USA and European Union, where is their comment on the lack of democracy in both Singapore and Malaysia?

I agree with you but they are more bent judiciary and election merchants than Military Junta types

Lots of whining and semi-literate rants by red-shirts here - but not a single argument against any of the points made in the article.

If you people had made similar criticisms against the dirty Pheu-Thai cronies and their ego-driven, power crazy master then I might have the slightest shred of respect for your opinion. But you didn't.

This article hits the nail on the head and you find the truth very uncomfortable.

really? This is pure yellow-ultra-royalist propaganda.

And I would imagine that any number of posters complained during the day about the PTP or the Democrat governments... and rightly so. But people like this author, who it was noted before was indicted in the US for campaign finance fraud, is an absolutely pure to the bone traditional elite, junta cheerleader.