Thai PM’s sentiment in song worth honouring

[Jonathan Fairfield]

EDITORIAL

PM’s sentiment in song worth honouring

The Nation

All eyes are on Prayut to stick to his road map and prove the coup was in some way justified

BANGKOK:-- Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has come up with a new song, offering it as a New Year gift to the people. "Proh Ther Kue Prathet Thai" ("Because You are Thailand") follows on the heels of "Returning Happiness to Thailand", the tune Prayut composed soon after seizing power in a coup in May last year.

Opponents of the junta have been quick to dismiss this latest effort as propaganda. While their criticism is well taken, the song does stand up to scrutiny. It entails a fundamental and heartfelt love of the homeland that even Prayut's harshest critics cannot ignore.

"You are what I believe in," he sings. "I love you more than anything else. Because you are Thailand, I will never allow anyone to destroy you.

"With only my two hands and life, the force is not enough to realise the dream. We have to work together and the success will get closer, for a Thailand of everyone."

In our complex modern society, it is often difficult to tell the heroes from the villains. Political hopefuls might extol the fairness of democracy while campaigning, only to become corrupt, authoritarian and condoning of political violence once elected. Meanwhile military coup-maker might crack down on civil liberties, but then turn out to be sincere in their efforts to maintain order and protect the national interest.

We have yet to establish clearly what kind of leader General Prayut is, but he still has time to prove his worth. He has at times taken actions that indicate genuine good intentions, and he is deserving of credit for ending the political unrest that was threatening to explode into deadly armed conflict.

It is regrettable that averting the violence came down to staging a coup and ousting a properly elected government. But it is frightening to consider what might have occurred without that coup. Our country might well have ended up torn asunder like Syria, Libya and Iraq. We might have been entering the New Year engulfed in warfare.

Given that the lesser of two evils was chosen for us, by the military, we should now, however grudgingly, allow Prayut and his regime moral support. In lieu of "encouragement", we must prod them as necessary to tackle the problems left unsolved by their predecessors in power as the country prepares to return to democratic rule.

Prayut has promised to cede the reins of power to an elected civilian government, in line with the political road map mooted soon after the coup. He knows he is being watched closely lest this pledge be forgotten or suspended. He also knows the clock is ticking.

In the meantime we must all address the important question of whether it will be a genuine democracy to which we return. True democracy requires rule by and for the people, either directly or indirectly through their elected representatives. That authenticity, that purity, erodes when those who aspire to power can buy the people's votes. Having cheated, they can only represent an electorate of cheaters. The end result is not democracy but a purchased monopoly on authority.

When we vote next time, it must be free of the shackles of greed and corruption. As Prayut sings, no one citizen can make things better for Thailand. Everyone needs to contribute.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/PMs-sentiment-in-song-worth-honouring-30275550.html

-- The Nation 2015-12-24

[Lupatria]

One more reason for radio stations not to start a show with the famous phrase: "Hello, music lovers"

[happynthailand]

just my thoughts

but what do I know

[DM07]

What the....

[MZurf]

"Opponents of the junta have been quick to dismiss this latest effort as propaganda. While their criticism is well taken..."

Well taken by whom??? Certainly not the great composer himself, that's for sure!

Edited December 24, 2015 by MZurf

[MZurf]

For a look at who/what the "PM" really cares about read an article in today's Bangkok Post called "PM urges middle class to save day".

[Srikcir]

A song written by a military coup leader that keeps repeating I, I, I, I.

Guess what? Thai nationalism is not all about Prayut and what he wants for the nation. It's about the Thai People and what they want for their nation.

[GeorgesAbitbol]

This "opinion" is a piece of trash, with stupid, childish comments, judgments and a clear lack of understanding to what is happening under the Junta.

This government is incompetent, probably as corrupted as any precedent, the only difference is they have lot of guns...

All those trash songs and propaganda DO NOT deserves to be praised, but to be recognized as what it is: (place here a word we cannot use in this board)

[jesimps]

Please pass me the bucket.

[Lupatria]

just my thoughts

good music.jpg

but what do I know

You better watch out for the sirens in the hood from now on! How dare you to make jokes about governmental Karaoke?

Edited December 24, 2015 by Lupatria

[candide]

Gosh! I am happy I haven't had lunch yet.....

[kinmaew]

honor does not pay the electricity bill