That's all, folks: Prayut declines to take media questions after last week's debacle

[webfact]

That's all, folks: Prayut declines to take media questions after last week's debacle
By Coconuts Bangkok


Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. Photo: Reuters

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha perhaps wisely decided to keep schtum yesterday and passed on his usual press conference after losing his temper with the media last week.

The junta chief, who usually holds a press conference after the weekly Cabinet briefing, decided to step aside after being criticised for his short fuse last week and got deputy prime minister Wissanu Krea-ngam, to take questions instead, the Nation reported.

But not before a quick parting shot to those pesky reporters, reminding them to "ask good questions."

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/02/09/thats-all-folks-prayuth-declines-take-media-questions-after-last-weeks-debacle


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2016-02-10

[Reigntax]

"ask good questions."

How about for once he provide good answers instead of the usual dribble.

[NongKhaiKid]

If the Thai press was in any way vibrant and unafraid, with good reason, they would have ridiculed the PM for his arrogance in past media conferences and now in a double whammy over his childish, won't play attitude. He's raised making a fool of himself to an art form.

[shunter]

Can any of you remember a former Prime Minister becoming somewhat hostile to the press and he used to wave what looked like a ping pong bat with a large black cross on it to signify his refusal to accept and answer questions?

Also in the same later political company a now deceased puppet Prime Minister was infamous for inquiring as to whether whether a female reporter had engaged in sex the previous night.

[metisdead]

Referring to Thailand or the government as a dictatorship, military dictatorship or other such terms will be removed.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/878797-updated-notice-to-members-posting-in-thailand-news/

[piersbeckett]

"ask good questions."

How about for once he provide good answers instead of the usual dribble.

I think the word's 'drivel' but surely the PM should answer questions regarding the constitution if nothing else as the issue seems to me fundamental and of great importance both to the Thai people and internationally. Understandably the work is tiresome but allocation in answering questions should be directed at present, in my view, to other issues.

I should imagine that people are frustrated as the process has taken longer than they expected; what are the new plans to rid both the voting system and the executive of corruption; is it a policing department of the military or what and what's being put in place regarding the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary?

[NongKhaiKid]

Can any of you remember a former Prime Minister becoming somewhat hostile to the press and he used to wave what looked like a ping pong bat with a large black cross on it to signify his refusal to accept and answer questions?

Also in the same later political company a now deceased puppet Prime Minister was infamous for inquiring as to whether whether a female reporter had engaged in sex the previous night.

It doesn't matter the colour, political leaning etc as the people who get power here are all the same under the skin and only the degree of arrogance and stupidity really varies.

[pieeyed]

Old square head used turn very red in the face before he blew a fuse. Could always tell when it was coming.

[Bluespunk]

'But not before a quick parting shot to those pesky reporters, reminding them to "ask good questions."'

Be good.

Obey.

Conform.

Do not question in a manner we dislike.

In fact do not question.

​Remember happiness is not a choice, it is compulsory.

[berybert]

If only he would stop talking.

[geriatrickid]

Nice.

[Misterwhisper]

Gosh, what a circus... sometimes it's hard to believe you're dealing with adults.

Edited February 10, 2016 by Misterwhisper

[Nigeone]

Gosh, what a circus... sometimes it's hard to believe you're dealing with adults.

You not though are you...these guys wouldn't last a day in a civilised society

So far removed from reality that's it's actually sad! And he is responsible along

with his mates for running a country of 68 million people! Now that's hard to believe

[jesimps]

Old square head used turn very red in the face before he blew a fuse. Could always tell when it was coming.

This is a thread about the current PM, why the "but but Thaksin"?

You fanboys must dream about the guy.

[arrowsdawdle]

If the Thai press was in any way vibrant and unafraid, with good reason, they would have ridiculed the PM for his arrogance in past media conferences and now in a double whammy over his childish, won't play attitude. He's raised making a fool of himself to an art form.

Well said, but the most effective tactic would be for all media to boycott the little general and make him come begging for coverage, whereupon they could turn him away again.

[NongKhaiKid]

If the Thai press was in any way vibrant and unafraid, with good reason, they would have ridiculed the PM for his arrogance in past media conferences and now in a double whammy over his childish, won't play attitude. He's raised making a fool of himself to an art form.

Well said, but the most effective tactic would be for all media to boycott the little general and make him come begging for coverage, whereupon they could turn him away again.

Yes many tactics the media could employ but frankly I don't think they have the balls to do it anymore than doing what many would regard as a ' proper ' job.

How can the press be free knowing there's a visit from the military just waiting and not being prepared to publish and be dammed.

Being dammed is both an unfortunate and probably accurate choice of expression.

[MZurf]

"ask good questions."

How about for once he provide good answers instead of the usual dribble.

I think the word's 'drivel' but surely the PM should answer questions regarding the constitution if nothing else as the issue seems to me fundamental and of great importance both to the Thai people and internationally. Understandably the work is tiresome but allocation in answering questions should be directed at present, in my view, to other issues.

I should imagine that people are frustrated as the process has taken longer than they expected; what are the new plans to rid both the voting system and the executive of corruption; is it a policing department of the military or what and what's being put in place regarding the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary?

"...what are the new plans to rid both the voting system and the executive of corruption..."

There are none, just plans to assure the "right" people have access to the trough.

"...what's being put in place regarding the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary?"

Please see above.

[poohy]

I think maybe his paymasters have had a quiet "word" in his ear!

[skildpadden]

Well, the media could respond by not attending any press conferences then as it would be a total waste of time.
Just ignore him like he was ignored when doing his UN speech in an almost empty UN assembly hall.

Just publish all the mandatory press releases on the comics page, so you are complying to the whims of the junta.

Whenever there are TV statements of happiness from the general we always turn to Spongebob Squarepants, it is just as informative but much more entertaining.

[bark]

For him, The only way to get good questions; is if he is talking to himself !

[DM07]

What a crybaby!

Ridiculous!

...as ridiculous, as the cheap shots, some people had to take at Obama, in this, not even loosely related, subject!

[ggt]

You reporters need to show the PM some love...and quit asking tough questions...

He is still the unelected leader of the military government...reporters becoming a bit of a pest is not advisable at this time...

No one but the PM knows the daily pressures he endures...give him some slack...

[DaddyWarbucks]

You reporters need to show the PM some love...and quit asking tough questions...

He is still the unelected leader of the military government...reporters becoming a bit of a pest is not advisable at this time...

No one but the PM knows the daily pressures he endures...give him some slack...

Your post is ironic, of course, but there is some truth in your last line.

For the 30+ years that I've spent largely in Thailand, the country has been in almost continuous turmoil.

[coulson]

I see someone broke their new years resolution already.....

[webfact]

PM to let his deputies answer press questions for better clarification

BANGKOK, 10 February 2016 (NNT) - The Prime Minister has resolved to delegate press conferences to deputy prime ministers and ministers.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha cited the need to have them involved as Thailand undergoes national reform. He stressed the importance of being aware of the transition in various areas of development. The Prime Minister also insisted that he does not have a personal conflict with anyone.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam was the first deputy premier instructed by Gen Prayut to field questions from the press. Dr. Wissanu explained that the premier will only answer broad questions, while more detailed answers will be provided by relevant ministers.

The deputy prime ministers have also been instructed to conduct assessments on civil servants in their relevant ministry.

-- NNT 2016-02-10

[farcanell]

He must have gotten too much dirt and grime on his dummy, when it was spat out last week

[mrrizzla]

They might as well play the loony toons jingle every time this guy finishes a press conference.

[Emster23]

Brought to mind the old saying "Ask me no questions and I tell you no lies".

[balford]

Maybe, just maybe if the media actually stuck to what it is supposed to do instead of deliberately going out of its way to goad, distort, misinterpret and report according to its own political agenda then it may get reasonable responses.

I can read or watch three different media interpretations of the one statement or event and get three different 'stories', none of which reflects or supports the other.

Media ethics is as much an oxymoron as is military intelligence or some of the 'logic' that comes from the barstool commandos on this forum.

Bob A. Relaxed in Lampang

[yellowboat]

Was he born a general ? You would think that he would at least pay lip service to serving the people of Thailand, including reporters.