Prayut has a swipe at media in six-month progress report

[Lite Beer]

Prayut has a swipe at media in six-month progress report
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
WIRAJ SRIPONG
THE NATION

BANGKOK: -- Says govt has stuck to its road map though timeframe depends on situation

IN his announcement yesterday on the government's progress over the past six months, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha stressed that his administration had stuck - so far - to the road map it set from the very beginning. However, he said, the ability to stay within the set time frame would depend largely on security and peace and order within society.

He delivered the speech from Government House. In it, Prayut was also quick to point out that the one key factor that can significantly contribute to peace is the media, whom he partly blames for creating "false political discourse".

Instead, he said, the media should be more constructive in presenting news. "The media should ask forward-looking questions. We need to help each other create understanding and solve problems," he said.

The government has been widely criticised at home and abroad for its heavy handling of media censorship, yet Prayut continues to stress the media's role in fostering peace and shaping the country's future.

"There's no country in this world that can have peace with unlimited freedom, meaning freedom should go hand in hand with duty, respect of rights and mutual respect among individuals," he said.

He went on to say that there was no government that had taken power the way he did and no leader who does what he does. "For me the power is to create accountability and fair and effective government," he said.

While listing his government's progress, the premier touched on a wide range of topics, including the economy, democracy, Article 44 and the justice system.

Prayut said he had been reluctant to enforce strict laws on political dissents, but said it was necessary for people to respect and obey the law. If the law was ignored, then there was no option but to increase the penalties, he said, adding, "if people do not respect the law, the country cannot survive".

He also called on the public to be patient with his administration and overlook some democratic values in exchange for peace, order and long-term national reform.

"People like coming out and delivering lectures about democracy. Why do it now? Why didn't they do it back when we still had elections?" he asked.

The premier also implied that it was too late for people to push for fully fledged democratic principles and that society should focus on reconciliation and reform instead.

As for Article 44, which was put in place after martial law was lifted and gives the prime minister full power over the judicial, legislative and executive branches of the administration, Prayut defended it.

"Article 44 is necessary to solve some problems, because if we can't amend a law in time, there should be alternative measures to tackle problems under these special circumstances. People should just get on with their lives. If you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear," he said

On foreign policy, Prayut pointed out that Thailand had established a better understanding with the international community, especially its western allies.

"There's nothing to be worried about with our foreign ties. At the moment, they have taken note of our explanation and understand the situation. They have no intentions to put pressure on us. I've talked to Russia and China, and they have invited me over for a visit.

"Europe and the US are key traders. We need to engage and negotiate with these strategic partners in order to facilitate the distribution of our products," he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, speaking on behalf of Foreign Minister General Tanasak Patimapragorn, said Thailand had successfully established better understanding with foreign countries.

He referred to achievements under the five main aspects of Thailand's foreign policy: establishing a better understanding and boosting ties with international partners; linking internal policies with foreign policy; creating integrated, coordinated cooperation among state agencies at home and abroad or "Team Thailand"; contributing to Thai people's well-being both at home and overseas; contributing to national human-resource development and competitiveness.

"Our foreign policy is omni-directional, we don't want to go only in one direction," Don said, adding that Thailand was open to all countries that want to engage with it.

On the same subject, Foreign Ministry spokesman Sek Wanname-thee said the government had tried to build international confidence by sticking to its road map.

"[The government] practises and implements what it says," Sek said, adding that the administration had never veered from the objectives set by the National Council for Peace and Order last year. This plan was designed with the objective of reforming the country in three steps: reconciliation; drafting and implementing a new constitution and organising an election.

"So far, the government has always followed its plan as per the road map," Sek said.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Prayut-has-a-swipe-at-media-in-six-month-progress--30258213.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-18

[mikemac]

Yesterday we had a story headed "Prayut asks for understanding from media" and now today we have "Prayut has a swipe at the media".

The PM will learn one day that the pen is mightier than the sword.

Edited April 17, 2015 by mikemac

[NongKhaiKid]

One of the oldest, and patently obvious, ploys when you have nothing positive to say or can't defend something is to try and deflect attention by attacking and it almost always fails.

I think the PM will have to get his mouth enlarged so both feet can fit comfortably.

[zaphod reborn]

The PM will learn one day that the pen is mightier than the sword.

I'm sure you can't be referring to Thai journalists and media, but perhaps social media.

[smutcakes]

In Prayut's 6 month progress report did he or his ministers actually note any accomplishments?

[chooka]

In Prayut's 6 month progress report did he or his ministers actually note any accomplishments?

They arrested a naked farang and a farang who exposed her boobs oh and there were those two thai ladies dancing in a red bikini and that was all during one weekend.

[tx22cb]

It's a one-way street. Prayuth can "take a swipe" at the media with impunity, but the Thai media cannot criticize him.

Oh, it's good to be Prayuth!

[yellowboat]

"He went on to say that there was no government that had taken power the way he did and no leader who does what he does. "For me the power is to create accountability and fair and effective government," he said."

The good general has god like powers under article 44 and he cannot be prosecuted once he leaves office. And then he talks of accountability, while he is completely unaccountable. Under international law he might be accountable should he do something awful , but not under Thai law.

[Benmart]

There are numerous public relations firms that could do wonders for some people.

[mikemac]

The PM will learn one day that the pen is mightier than the sword.

I'm sure you can't be referring to Thai journalists and media, but perhaps social media.

Yes, perhaps I should have thought about the professionalism of the Thai media when I made that statement. To be honest I find the Thai media to be lacking, in almost everything. I can understand anyone getting fed up with their antics, even Thaksin who often threatened them with legal action.

I have no time whatsoever for social media as any idiot with a computer or smart phone can post anything they like with absolute anonymity.

[NongKhaiKid]

There are numerous public relations firms that could do wonders for some people.

You are so right and I'm sure the PM could produce a list of those who would benefit from such professional advice.

As for himself, ah well that's another story entirely.

[kalbz]

I don't trust any media in any country. I don't trust governments nor corporations. I do feel the General is good for Thailand, for the time being. I feel he needs space to kick some butt, not just Thai's but also interfering foreign countries, mmm.. the US for example, if you keep pushing someone, they will push back. No wonder Thailand is cozying up to China & Russia. The US should stop pretending to be the "World Police" & treat Thailand with more respect, that's how you keep an ally.

[Caveat Emptor]

In Prayut's 6 month progress report did he or his ministers actually note any accomplishments?

just too shy and retiring to blow his own trumpet ?

[yellowboat]

I don't trust any media in any country. I don't trust governments nor corporations. I do feel the General is good for Thailand, for the time being. I feel he needs space to kick some butt, not just Thai's but also interfering foreign countries, mmm.. the US for example, if you keep pushing someone, they will push back. No wonder Thailand is cozying up to China & Russia. The US should stop pretending to be the "World Police" & treat Thailand with more respect, that's how you keep an ally.

"I feel he needs space to kick some butt" Article 44 gives him god like powers without fear to prosecution in Thailand. What more does he need ? Oh how desperate we are in need to believe and not give a moment's hesitation to trust. Thailand means little to the US at the moment.

[Srikcir]

"if people do not respect the law, the country cannot survive".

Of course the law would be the Junta law and absolute power under Article 44 over all Thai rights and liberties.

Prayut was the leader of a military coup that abolished the 2007 Constitution, subverted an elected government, and subjugated Thai sovereignty as a crimes against Thai society. The Junta's Interim Charter further protects any and all actions by the Junta and any of its agents from any prosecution as the law of the land.

How dare Prayuth hold the Thai people to any standard of respect for Junta law.

[emilymat]

"It's (now) too late for people to push for democratic principles'.

In this long screed, this is the sentence I found most worrying.

[Lupatria]

"There's no country in this world that can have peace with unlimited freedom, meaning freedom should go hand in hand with duty, respect of rights and mutual respect among individuals," he said.

I would probably become his best friend (behind Costas of course) if he would have included two small terms:

respect of HUMAN rights and FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Edited April 18, 2015 by Lupatria

[Lupatria]

There are numerous public relations firms that could do wonders for some people.

He should hire the spin doctors of Austria who made the world believe Hitler was a German and Mozart was an Austrian. However, that would include all efforts to top Thaksin's offer for the job. Maybe Saul Amsterdam would be the right negotiator to reach an agreement.

Edited April 18, 2015 by Lupatria

[phoenixdoglover]

There is no progress reported in the progress report.

It would be a simple matter for the government to prepare a press release prior to the PM's speech and to request the media to print it in full. The media would go along with this, since writing and publishing coherent articles is so difficult for them.

I would like to help, by providing a concise summary of the Junta government's accomplishments. In all seriousness:

1. We successfully overthrew an elected government and appointed ourselves to all positions of power

2. We told our friends in Lumpini Park to go home. After they left, the street violence decreased significantly.

3. We arrested and detained without trial about 200 to 300 people, and we made sure you don't know who most of them are, or where they are.

4. We created a National Legislative Assembly that does almost no legislating.

5. We uncovered some weapons caches that would be sufficient to arm about 100 people for about 3 days of armed conflict.

6. We paid rice farmers some money that was owed them.

7. We imposed martial law, and then we lifted it, by replacing it with an order that permits the PM and a wide range of military officers to act outside the law.

8. We announced various rail projects that might happen if we can find some other country to finance them.

9. We told the aviation sector to do better.

10. We complained to other countries about their criticism, explained to them what we are trying to do, and now we think they understand us better. However, they are still criticizing us, so we are going to explain ourselves some more.

11. We cannot report any progress with the economy; the economy is struggling.

12. We can report some small progress on human trafficking; but on human rights overall, the international community seems to believe we have taken a big step backward.

13. We strengthened our ties with countries who do not have a problem with us: China and Russia have expressed their support.

14. We shut down opposition television stations; and we have informed the remaining media they have a duty to the country to avoid criticizing us.

15. We have announced a major initiative in reducing corruption. We arrested a very high level police official. We are looking at a list of 100 names of other government officials, but we cannot tell you who they are, or what crimes they have committed.

16. We have drafted a new Constitution. We have shared only some of the key provisions. We have made no commitment to a referendum.

17. We have announced that we have a road map for reconciliation, a new Charter and elections. We have also announced that none of these things will be finalized until there is peace and order.

18. We are therefor here to maintain control as long as necessary.

19. We have repeatedly assured you that if you have done nothing wrong, you have nothing to fear.

Edited April 18, 2015 by phoenixdoglover

[Jim walker]

Do as I say but don't do as I do

[aussieinthailand]

"Woe is me, I think I'm becoming a god.", (Vespasian) Article 44, would the same quote apply? costas can tell us maybe?

Considering it's almost a year now since the big fella took the top job, one could be forgiven for thinking he should by now understand that the media has a job to do and that is to report the issues of the day regardless if he likes it or not, sure the media has to be careful with what it puts out there in certain times but asking for understanding and saying he wants to punch them in the face and throwing banana skins at them thinking it a joke, blaming the other counties for criticizing it's practices and lake of progress in several humanitarian issues, seems something's just not sinking in.

[wabothai]

yeah, too bad your resume is only involving military matters,

[quandow]

<snip> the media, whom he partly blames for creating "false political discourse". <snip>

Sorry PM, but the truth hurts, doesn't it?

[billd766]

In Prayut's 6 month progress report did he or his ministers actually note any accomplishments?

In Yingluck's 3 years did she accomplish anything?

If she did could you please list them chronologically.

Thank you.

[tbthailand]

6 months, ... ?

I count 11, but the general never seemed good at math...

So he blames the media

Good job general... but here is a real gem from many, ...

"For me the power is to create accountability and fair and effective government," he said.

which is a blatant lie in soooo many ways.

It is neither the reason for taking power, nor is it what he is doing, nor is it what his end-game is...

[tbthailand]

In Prayut's 6 month progress report did he or his ministers actually note any accomplishments?

In Yingluck's 3 years did she accomplish anything?

If she did could you please list them chronologically.

Thank you.

well that is a completely irrelevant point and a comparison that is wrong from the start... The start is that the Yingluck government was chosen by the people of Thailand and, yeah, you could call an accomplishment.

Then, as you know, they went about doing the basic job of governing. Some things went well (calming the border issues), some didn't (flood response). There was a platform for the government and they worked on it... There was give and take, minimum wage passed, then delayed to accommodate businesses and flooding recovery.

oh, they also survived attack after attack from the feeble opposition... The dems filed their first court case against the government in August 2011.

I know that people here like to pretend that nothing happened (unless it was "bad"), for three years, but the fact is that any government can accomplish something, the 2006 Junta kept the lights on and wrote a new military charter. Even the Abhisit government, which was hardly legitimate, pretended to have policies and implement them. The PTP government did the same.

During all of those governments there were things that worked, things that didn't work, corruption, cronyism, .... in short all of the same things that mark Thai politics and Thai society... And throughout all of that time there was the military - either in the background or sometimes in the foreground - playing it's usual role on the political scene...

Now it is in the foreground, and to call it a 'government' is rather generous, much less to compare it to any government elected by The People.

(PS: I imagine that by pointing out that something did happened between 2011 and 2014 will further my "credentials" as a PTP supporter... For the record, I support governments being elected, beyond that, I support having the right to criticize them. Neither is the case today...)

[tbthailand]

"People like coming out and delivering lectures about democracy. Why do it now? Why didn't they do it back when we still had elections?" he asked.

more BS - happened all the time. How many of these had been annually scheduled conferences and lectures and then were pointedly prohibited by the military in 2014?

This guy is one lie after another ...

[yellowboat]

In Prayut's 6 month progress report did he or his ministers actually note any accomplishments?

In Yingluck's 3 years did she accomplish anything?

If she did could you please list them chronologically.

Thank you.

It is what she did not do. Before the good general, foreigners could have a second home in Thailand. Now Condos are going unsold or unrented, restaurants have lost their regular customers and the feeling about Thailand now is hopelessness. Hopelessness as the good general tirades against the press, gives himself god like powers and does little to make anyone feel good about Thailand. But if it makes you feel better to rail against the red shirts, feel free. It is yesterday's news now.

Some of the greatest leaders have done nothing, other than allow people to live their lives without interference.

Edited April 18, 2015 by yellowboat

[NeilSA1]

I don't trust any media in any country. I don't trust governments nor corporations. I do feel the General is good for Thailand, for the time being. I feel he needs space to kick some butt, not just Thai's but also interfering foreign countries, mmm.. the US for example, if you keep pushing someone, they will push back. No wonder Thailand is cozying up to China & Russia. The US should stop pretending to be the "World Police" & treat Thailand with more respect, that's how you keep an ally.

"I feel he needs space to kick some butt" Article 44 gives him god like powers without fear to prosecution in Thailand. What more does he need ? Oh how desperate we are in need to believe and not give a moment's hesitation to trust. Thailand means little to the US at the moment.

I am sure that many TVF members are aghast at the fact that the PM has not yet abused his "God like powers, without fear to prosecution in Thailand."

What a terrible disappointment for the naysayers.....

[NeilSA1]

In Prayut's 6 month progress report did he or his ministers actually note any accomplishments?

In Yingluck's 3 years did she accomplish anything?

If she did could you please list them chronologically.

Thank you.

It is what she did not do. Before the good general, foreigners could have a second home in Thailand. Now Condos are going unsold or unrented, restaurants have lost their regular customers and the feeling about Thailand now is hopelessness. Hopelessness as the good general tirades against the press, gives himself god like powers and does little to make anyone feel good about Thailand. But if it makes you feel better to rail against the red shirts, feel free. It is yesterday's news now.

Some of the greatest leaders have done nothing, other than allow people to live their lives without interference.

Absolutely correct. Apart from losing money in a populist scheme, corruption, nepotism and shopping to name a few things YL was a great leader because she otherwise did nothing, ".. other than allow people to live their lives without interference"