PM Prayut returns to spotlight in fine voice

[webfact]

POLITICS
PM returns to spotlight in fine voice
WASAMON AUDJARINT,
NATCHA ORAVEERAKUL
THE NATION



BANGKOK: -- AFTER staying out of the spotlight for a week, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha returned yesterday looking somewhat calmer.

Before presiding over the Cabinet meeting, he began the day by jokingly kicking a boxer who was visiting Government House to promote cultural campaigns.

Prayut then told reporters that he had been busy preparing for the "five rivers" meeting next Wednesday, as well as other events. The prime minister managed to retain his style of "elaborating", but his voice seemed softer than usual.

That was until he was asked about the legitimacy of the charter-drafting process, especially the public acceptability of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC) members.

"If you don't like how the country is now, then go back before May 22 [last year]," Prayut replied, referring to political clashes before the coup. "Could those conflicts solve political issues?" Prayut seemed to relax before raising his voice again. "It's been long that I haven't been this loud."

In the course of the 40-minute press briefing, the PM managed to convey his disapproval of "limitless democracy and freedom", referring to how Thailand suffered from a series of political conflicts. The government will also strive hard to solve previous problems and put everything in place, he insisted.

Prayut also announced his intention to make rarer public appearances, but stressed that he would still provide interviews on important issues.

"The PM has been fine with us," said Government Spokesman Maj-General Sansern Kawekamnerd, who has been appointed to fill in when the PM is less inclined to assume his public role. "We haven't had any problem speaking for him so far."

The less frequent nature of Prayut's public appearances will not necessarily keep the government from getting its message across, however. The prime minister's updates can still be tracked through his "Returning Happiness to the People" TV programme every Friday.

Observers believe his rare appearances are unlikely to obstruct news reports, as major procedures relating to the government, such as the charter drafting, are still only at the beginning.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/PM-returns-to-spotlight-in-fine-voice-30271287.html

-- The Nation 2015-10-21

[NongKhaiKid]

Jokingly kicking a boxer ...!

Bet he was surrounded by lots of his people before becoming aggressive even in fun. A Thai one against one, no chance and one against a boxer... !

[deckape]

Methinks he will be unable and unwilling to move away from the spotlight.

[canuckamuck]

"the PM managed to convey his disapproval of "limitless democracy and freedom".

This is one message he has successfully communicated since day 1.

[tominbkk]

Would love to have seen the boxer jokingly keep him in back a few times! Then he could pet him.

[Swamp Thing]

He's back to wearing his pyjamas on the podium again.

It's an improvement. He looks even more uncomfortable than usual in a suit.

Edited October 21, 2015 by Swamp Thing

[Praematura]

Elites want him muzzled as he's an embarrassing tool that's repeatedly embarrassed the establishment.

[EJK]

He can't delay the elections forever

Eventually there will be democracy and a police force that's works for the government

Farmers that are cares for and freedom of soeach

[yellowboat]

"If you don't like how the country is now, then go back before May 22 [last year]," Prayut replied, referring to political clashes before the coup. "Could those conflicts solve political issues?" Prayut seemed to relax before raising his voice again. "It's been long that I haven't been this loud."

So the only answer was a coup and military government ? Ah, less than nimble minds pretending to know what is best.

[oneday]

"If you don't like how the country is now, then go back before May 22 [last year],"

What a wonderful person he is...very well spoken.

[Srikcir]

"the PM managed to convey his disapproval of "limitless democracy and freedom".

TRANSLATION:

The PM managed to convey his support for unlimited military control of the nation.

[Emster23]

"The prime minister's updates can still be tracked through his "Returning Happiness to the People" TV programme every Friday."

Good. I was worried there for a minute. No reruns of Sanford & Son here, so guess he will have to do.... Keeping a Thai away from a microphone is harder than keeping the guys from Islamic Republics away from Walking Street. It just ain't gonna happen.

[shirtless]

He back again talking alot yet saying and doing nothing , lip service does not fix anything Prayut

[dageurreotype]

He back again talking alot yet saying and doing nothing , lip service does not fix anything Prayut

Oh he's very much doing something. A rout of his opponents is underway. This isn't exactly the first site I go to for the latest news in Thailand ..

[Baerboxer]

He can't delay the elections forever

Eventually there will be democracy and a police force that's works for the government

Farmers that are cares for and freedom of soeach

The police force did work for the last puppet government. And that didn't work out to well.

Who are you suggesting they work for now - a generous benefactor not in government perhaps?

[jayboy]

He back again talking alot yet saying and doing nothing , lip service does not fix anything Prayut

He again justifies his government's incompetence and repression of democratic values by asking whether the country wishes to return to its previous state of chaos.

He never of course addresses the reality that he in cahoots with the fraudster Suthep and backed by (deleted but everyone knows who) were mainly responsible for the chaos in the first place.

[Prbkk]

More calm than before? yes, he looks almost serene in the pic

[sawadee1947]

In the course of the 40-minute press briefing, the PM managed to convey his disapproval of "limitless democracy and freedom", referring to how Thailand suffered from a series of political conflicts. The government will also strive hard to solve previous problems and put everything in place, he insisted.

Clear spoken: the series of political conflicts comes from democracy and freedom...... I have no words for this statement!

[EJK]

He can't delay the elections forever

Eventually there will be democracy and a police force that's works for the government

Farmers that are cares for and freedom of soeach

The police force did work for the last puppet government. And that didn't work out to well.

Who are you suggesting they work for now - a generous benefactor not in government perhaps?

No police operate as a private company durrr and they have gotten rich from it

[GeckosDiving]

He back again talking alot yet saying and doing nothing , lip service does not fix anything Prayut

He again justifies his government's incompetence and repression of democratic values by asking whether the country wishes to return to its previous state of chaos.

He never of course addresses the reality that he in cahoots with the fraudster Suthep and backed by (deleted but everyone knows who) were mainly responsible for the chaos in the first place.

[katana]

From the OP:

...Before presiding over the Cabinet meeting, he began the day by jokingly kicking a boxer who was visiting Government House to promote cultural campaigns...

Video of Prayut's Muay Thai skills: