Prayut must be judged by Thais, not outsiders

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EDITORIAL
Prayut must be judged by Thais, not outsiders
The Nation

There's still a long way to go after his appearance at the UN

BANGKOK: -- To many people, how Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha fares internationally is more important than how he fares locally. His United Nations venture has drawn much attention, largely because he was a coup leader and the UN conference is his first formal appearance on the world stage.

Local incidents before he left for the United States were linked to the UN event by both critics and supporters of his government. All eyes were on how big the protest or protests against him would be in Washington.

The truth is that it matters little how loud the "boos" sounded or whether the general choked on his words on the global stage. Appearance or image is highly overrated in politics, which is why a lot of politicians care more about how they look than what they really do. It's also why spin doctors, or publicists, or lobbyists, are getting obscene money telling the public what to think,

Prayut should be judged by Thais on how he goes about implementing "reform" in the country, and on how he maintains law and order, and on how much these actions infringe on people's liberty and freedom. Most important of all, Prayut should be judged on how happy Thais are following the tumultuous political strife that made threats of a civil war look quite real.

It is clear that many "outsiders" are willing to speak on behalf of Thais. A human rights report on the country has been issued. Diplomats have been either outspoken regarding the need to return to civil rule or have implicitly aided one side of the political divide. Prayut himself complained that his government was "provoked" to take tough action against political dissents so he would look bad at the UN.

The United Nations is the best peace-promoting global mechanism we can hope for. It's as good as we can get. But the international body has been struggling against forces that can turn it into a stage for singing contests, where rhetoric reigns supreme and "priorities" get badly mixed up. It has failed to prevent the war in Iraq. It has largely failed to deal effectively with the real oppressors who cause real suffering and risks being exploited by lobbyists with agendas. Real ordeals keep mounting around the world, sometimes overshadowed by politically motivated claims about suffering or suppression.

Thais and the world will continue to have divided opinions on Prayut, no matter what he says at the UN or what people say about him at the UN. When he returns to Thailand, some people will be satisfied with what happens in Washington while others won't. How much should we care? How much should we ignore? People will have different answers to those questions, but the following remarks by Thaksin Shinawatra in the early 2000s when he was prime minister may give us some clues:

"[The] UN is not my father." Thaksin said that in March 2003 when journalists asked him about UN human rights people raising concerns about his anti-narcotics campaign, which led to a large number of people dying in extra-judicial killings.

"Please leave us alone," Thaksin said in the following year, after fatal crackdowns on Islamic radicals in Thailand's deep South. "It’s my job and we can cope with this matter. We are trying to explain this to foreigners, but if they don't understand or ignore our reasons, I don't care because we are not begging them for food."

One thing is clear: Thaksin's downfall had nothing to do with those popular speeches. And this should serve as Prayut's biggest lesson.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Prayut-must-be-judged-by-Thais-not-outsiders-30269667.html


-- The Nation 2015-09-28

[davehowden]

"Prayut must be judged by Thais, not outsiders"

So have an election then and see how he gets on??

[NongKhaiKid]

The problem about him being judged locally is that it will involve criticism and we now how that gets handled.

[englishoak]

The UN is not my father ......? where have we heard that one before ? yea ok ok i know, but but.... Thaksin. Ill get my coat

[canuckamuck]

He is the judge

[Seastallion]

The proper word is "praised".

"Judgement" implies an impartial, factual, and fair summation, which may include direct criticism. Since criticism is verbotten, then no "judgement" is possible.

Edited September 27, 2015 by Seastallion

[aussieinthailand]

Being a leader of anything leads to being "judged", Being the leader of a country then you will be judged nationally and internationally, Being the leader of a coup then you actions will be judged with more harshly.

[Wilsonandson]

Like Sirit and Prem before him Prayuth is nothing new to Thailands political history or landscape. Judged by Thais is going to be difficult and by the International world easy. Change can go back to the old ways or progress to new. This time the old ways were chosen, can the man on the street complain, sure he can, but deep down he knows there is nothing new to this transition of power. History repeats itself, will Thailand be fully democratic one day? I doubt it. So judge away, or accept that Thailand has always been in the control of the military.

[Reigntax]

So why bother addressing the UN then? Is it just a junta junket?

[MaxLee]

"Prayut must be judged by Thais, not outsiders"

So have an election then and see how he gets on??

And the winner of election would be,...... Guess who.......

[lovelomsak]

Seems a bit difficult to judge him when if you say anything other than praise for him you get an Attitude Adjustment. Have an election do the judging there. If he wins he can be seen as judged doing the right thing if he loses he is judged as not doing the right thing.

Maybe he really doesnot care what the international world thinks of him. Maybe he plays in his sandbox and doesnot care what happens in the park. Maybe his world ends at the Thai border.

I donot think outside judgements effect anything done in Thailand anyways.

Edited September 28, 2015 by lovelomsak

[rubl]

It would seem the "have an election" is becoming like A44, a magic wand. Good for those believing in faery tales.

[Bellacissa]

Oh, those pesky outsiders and their worldly opinions. They don't, won't, and (most importantly) CAN'T understand Thailand. How can they judge that which they do not understand? Ahh, Thailand - the Mary Poppins of the world. Practically perfect in every way.

Now I'm off to take a shower to remove the ick caused by saying all of that. Even sarcastically, it just feels wrong.

[jonclark]

This is a very powerful and also myopic headlines and one which sadly permeates and is believed by large sections of Thailand.

Myopic because, Thailand is not an island and its very prosperity is determined by outside forces. If the outside world decides to impose sanctions, to judge, to protest at the current governmental set up then that would be calamitous for Thailand.

Powerful because by saying Prayut must only be judged by Thais shows just how introspective and internalized the government wants to keep this as it gives them the free hand to once again play the 'them against us' nationalistic card when criticism mounts from erstwhile allies. All the while the country stands to attention, saluting the flag; distracted enough to remain dependent on the army under the false assumption that' they' are under attack by us.

[alant]

Interesting stuff, maybe the author can help. I would like to know if it matters not what the outside world thinks, why bother to go to the UN?

[saltandpepper]

"Prayut must be judged by Thais, not outsiders"

So have an election then and see how he gets on??

And the winner of election would be,...... Guess who.......

Hard to guess at that point.....which puppet would be brought in ? Options are getting thin.....if the supposed to be winner wants to be a bit credible.

[MZurf]

Seems a bit difficult to judge him when if you say anything other than praise for him you get an Attitude Adjustment. Have an election do the judging there. If he wins he can be seen as judged doing the right thing if he loses he is judged as not doing the right thing.

Maybe he really doesnot care what the international world thinks of him. Maybe he plays in his sandbox and doesnot care what happens in the park. Maybe his world ends at the Thai border.

I donot think outside judgements effect anything done in Thailand anyways.

"Maybe he really doesnot care what the international world thinks of him. Maybe he plays in his sandbox and doesnot care what happens in the park. Maybe his world ends at the Thai border."

The only thing that motivates this guy is to ensure that the old elite stays in power, just like it was/is Thaksin's motivation to have his "group" stay in power. If you're looking for altruism you've come to the wrong place. Harsh, but sadly true.

[chainarong]

What is wrong can't take criticism from outside , let's face it you do live in a cocoon , let's not think for one moment you are picked on or you are a loner , OZ gets it up the rear almost constantly from the Un on Boat people and our indigenous population, whilst you are a member of the UN you need to get something straight , the UN has rules that they would like you to follow ,( how some countries remain in the Un is beyond me ) however you are a part of the International community ,no one owes Thailand a living, your closed shop way of thinking is of concern as it raises questions on Thailand's maturity.

[Lovekorat]

So let's review some of the ways Thai's can voice their opinion.

- by public criticism. Then get taken away for 'attitude adjustment'

- through the press. Negative comments are censored

- through public meetings. Banned

- an election. Probably won't be forthcoming.

How then can they voice an opinion.

But it's ok his opinion polls tell him the people love him so that's alright then

[zaphod reborn]

It's also why spin doctors, or publicists, or lobbyists, are getting obscene money telling the public what to think,

And "journalists" employed by the Nation.

[GAZZPA]

Of course the PM must be judged by Thai's, he is the Thai PM, unelected maybe but we are where we are. It is a pretty obvious statement that really does not need to be said, like any PM his first duty must always be to his / her country and the people that live in it and the people having confidence in the PM's ability to "steer the ship" means everything.

However, the World is changing every year and Thailand heavily relies on export and International trade. So, if the UN states concern over human rights, people trafficking and blatant corruption it also has a duty. If Thailand take a stance of "you are not my father" then yes he may win praise from the local people for looking strong and backing the country but what abut the human rights issues? Will they not be tackled? Also, how will the people feel if trade sanctions are imposed and thailand starts to lose huge levels of business?

The backlash of this could be terrible wit companies closing down, foreign investment starts to dwindle, foreign companies start to look at relocating to a politically more stable country, etc.

So, the role of a PM nowadays is more then just keeping your people happy, it is a role where you must have some say or influence in International matters if you want your country to survive and thrive in todays world. This means being careful what you say and doing the right thing and making tough decisions.

[Eric Loh]

"Prayut must be judged by Thais, not outsiders"

So have an election then and see how he gets on??

And the winner of election would be,...... Guess who.......

Hard to guess at that point.....which puppet would be brought in ? Options are getting thin.....if the supposed to be winner wants to be a bit credible.

Whoever it be, apparently Prayuth and the establishment knows the outcome and scared stiff which warrant serious attempts to re-write the rules to their advantage. If Thais be the judge today, the establishment would not stand a chance.

[waldroj]

Prayut must be judged by Thais, not outsiders.

Another piece of editorial propaganda by The Nation.

The failings of the UN have no bearing on the performance of the little general when it comes to how he should be judged, and by whom.

'Outsiders' have every right to make judgements - especially when it comes to deciding where they will invest their money!

Just take a look at the Thai economy and how it has performed under junta control! Both Thai and outside investors are making their judgements about the little general, and I'm afraid the news is not good (for him).

Similarly, unless the Thailand can exist in isolation from the rest of the world, then it must accept that it will be subject to judgement by outsiders (who, unlike Thais, are free to make those judgements without fear of attitude adjustment).

[Just1Voice]

TWICE the writer of this article made reference to Washington when speaking of the UN and Prayuth. He might want to check, but as far as I know, the UN, and hence Prayuth, are in NEW YORK CITY.

If you're not smart enough to know that, then you have no business writing articles.

[razer]

True ... if Thailand wants to sever economic relations with the world and shut down tourism. Then nobody cares except Thais.

[khunianb]

If Thailand does not care about International opinion when its government carries out extra-judicial killings, murders innocents in the South, enslaves people on illegal fishing vessels. That is OK because Thais are Thais and they know what is right for Thailand.

Just don't complain when the tourists don't come, the EU imposes a fisheries ban, foreign investors start directing their money to countries that are operating more in line with International human rights and the rule of law.

[dageurreotype]

What a bloody rag this newspaper is, well how about getting off your high hypocritical horse and do some soul searching as to why you, as a representative of Thailand, can't come up with anyone better to run your country other than a self-above-all-others telecoms billionaire or the bumbling anachronism that is your current, er 'leader'

[LannaGuy]

How can Prayut be judged? he BANS elections, shuts up anyone who criticizes and seeks to control anyone who disagrees that he is Thailand's "Saviour"

[JAG]

Of course the PM must be judged by Thai's, he is the Thai PM, unelected maybe but we are where we are. It is a pretty obvious statement that really does not need to be said, like any PM his first duty must always be to his / her country and the people that live in it and the people having confidence in the PM's ability to "steer the ship" means everything.

However, the World is changing every year and Thailand heavily relies on export and International trade. So, if the UN states concern over human rights, people trafficking and blatant corruption it also has a duty. If Thailand take a stance of "you are not my father" then yes he may win praise from the local people for looking strong and backing the country but what abut the human rights issues? Will they not be tackled? Also, how will the people feel if trade sanctions are imposed and thailand starts to lose huge levels of business?

The backlash of this could be terrible wit companies closing down, foreign investment starts to dwindle, foreign companies start to look at relocating to a politically more stable country, etc.

So, the role of a PM nowadays is more then just keeping your people happy, it is a role where you must have some say or influence in International matters if you want your country to survive and thrive in todays world. This means being careful what you say and doing the right thing and making tough decisions.

Unfortunately this PM rules in the interests of and with the support of only one particular faction of the country. This faction is infused with face, status and xenophobia so they choose to ignore, or possibly just don't believe, the effects of international opinion and actions which you describe.

We will probably soon see the first manifestations of that denial with sanctions looming over the fishing industry, human trafficking and mismanagement of civil aviation. Thailand will start to hurt, and the first to hurt will be working people - the group who have no say in who forms the government.

Of course many (similar ) allegations of incompetence, mismanagement and corruption can ( and are ) made against the previous elected government. The difference is that, if the constitution had been followed last year, that government could have been removed by the people and replaced with one chosen by the people.

If the present one is changed it is likely to be effected by the coterie it serves, who will also select it's replacement.

[ldiablo]

How many large foreign companies operate within the borders of Thailand? One can say hundreds if not thousands. How many foreign companies buy commodities exported by Thailand? Again hundred if not thousands. So Mr. P. OUTSIDERS have every right to judge you because without their investments and spending Thailand is nothing.