Prawit defends PM over pickup passengers ban

[webfact]

Prawit defends PM over pickup passengers ban
By The Nation

 

 

BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan on Friday urged the public not to criticise Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha for banning passengers from riding in the open cargo bed of pickup trucks.

 

He admitted that he and a committee had proposed such a ban for the premier's approval, out of a concern for public safety.

 

He said the government had already shown leniency in allowing up to six passengers to travel in a pickup truck's cargo bed during this Songkran to minimise the impact on people's holiday plans.

 

He said the government wasn't afraid of losing popularity in the public’s eye, but the premier just wanted the country to move forward with strength and security.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/news/breakingnews/30311622

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-04-07

[BigBadGeordie]

Sycophant.

[fforest1]

Well if riding in the back of pickups is banned...I am sure they will

be sending a massive fleet of air conditioned limos with a driver out

to Isaan to transport the rice farmers families around in...

 

It will be a win-win for everybody ......

 

[AGareth2]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

He said the government wasn't afraid of losing popularity in the public’s eye, but the premier just wanted the country to move forward with strength and security.

no need to worry

not as if there is going to be an election

[Chris Lawrence]

Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has Bt87 million as at Nov 2014. He also chartered a flight that went direct to Hawaii for 30 staff with varying cost estimates ranging from 600Kbaht to 21million baht. Was this matter eventually shared with the people of Thailand?

 

A career military person and very good saver of money? But lives in a parallel universe to the water buffalo. So how does he get to work each day? Not in a 10 baht bus or the back of a pick up.

 

Do u think the General could live on 350 baht a day? His bank account indicates a very frugal man, but I have to admit a very snappy dresser. Always impeccable in well tailored suits. Presents a good image, but how will he represent the poor in this matter?

[Misterwhisper]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

urged the public not to criticise Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha

Or else...!

[Siripon]

PM Prayut must be absolutely furious with the committee, but he should have known the public reaction.

Everywhere upcountry, which means the majority of Thailand, the pick-up is king. It's a  universal transporter of goods and people.  To try to ban passengers from the back is akin to telling the people they can no longer travel any distance by private transport. As if there is any regular public transport in the innumerable villages of rural Thailand!

The reaction on social media has been absolute anger. The future of any pro military parties in the next election are in doubt.

[nikmar]

So says Jaba the Hut

Sent from my SM-J700F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[MorristheRunt]

How was this liar ever a soldier and a general at that with the physical characteristics of a fat dwarf?

[ChrisY1]

It must be getting close to give Jabba a try at the PM job......he's been a faithful puppy for 3 years now and must be chomping at the bit!

[aslimversgwm]

17 hours ago, fforest1 said:

Well if riding in the back of pickups is banned...I am sure they will

be sending a massive fleet of air conditioned limos with a driver out

to Isaan to transport the rice farmers families around in...

 

It will be a win-win for everybody ......

 

To entirely misquote Maria Antoinette: 'if they have no trucks let them take taxis'

[aslimversgwm]

14 hours ago, Siripon said:

PM Prayut must be absolutely furious with the committee, but he should have known the public reaction.

Everywhere upcountry, which means the majority of Thailand, the pick-up is king. It's a  universal transporter of goods and people.  To try to ban passengers from the back is akin to telling the people they can no longer travel any distance by private transport. As if there is any regular public transport in the innumerable villages of rural Thailand!

The reaction on social media has been absolute anger. The future of any pro military parties in the next election are in doubt.

Exactly so and as for the supporters of this edict on TV: shame on you for having absolutely no empathy or understanding of how poor Thais get from A to B for work, markets and schools  

 

 

[saminoz]

So the stupid fat toad kisses the arse of the silly little general....again!  What is newsworthy about that?

[aslimversgwm]

On Thursday, April 06, 2017 at 4:36 PM, Artisi said:

An interesting statistic would be the total number of deaths resulting from pick-up accidents compared to buses, vans and taxis, would think pick-ups would be well down the list. 

But as usual,  the powers that be shoot off mouth before putting brain in gear thinking what appears as a simple fix will cure all the road deaths - how about drink drive, speed, stupidity, not road worthy etc. 

Exactly 

[yellowboat]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

He said the government wasn't afraid of losing popularity in the public’s eye, but the premier just wanted the country to move forward with strength and security.

How can a country move forward when its main source of transportation has been made illegal?   It is rather clever actually.  You make something illegal knowing the police will enforce the law because they will shakedown those breaking the "law".  Sadly, the junta is out of touch with the struggles of the rural Thai people.  A re-occurring theme in LoS.  If TV could be taken as a barometer of the junta's popularity, it would be around 3%.    

Edited April 8, 2017 by yellowboat

[Ulic]

My his nose and face are brown. Proximity to someone's ass I am guessing.

[SABloke]

Holy Shit! I agree with Prawit about something. Well, that's it for me boys...I'm off to find a balcony somewhere...

[Destiny1990]

Picks ups and moter cycles are  involved with most road accidents so it makes sense to make some safety changes for thise vehicles  but it needs a much more sophisticated approach.

[yardrunner]

He admitted that he and a committee had proposed such a ban for the premier's approval, out of a concern for public safety.

So what he is really saying is i was part of the group that planned the changes to the law and if you criticize the law you are criticizing me as well so don't  criticize me

[Jonmarleesco]

On 4/7/2017 at 3:11 PM, webfact said:

He said the government wasn't afraid of losing popularity in the public’s eye

Hardly a priority for a non-elected government that won't be seeking (re)election.

[nikmar]

To entirely misquote Maria Antoinette: 'if they have no trucks let them take taxis'

Well, they aint gonna be able to take the new buses.

Sent from my SM-J700F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[rockingrobin]

I thought he was on vacation needing to go oversees for health reasons

[jerojero]

Wasn't afraid to lose popularity.... What happened to bringing happiness to the People? This may be a legit public safety issue but its poor corrective implementation will continue to raise backlash from millions of affected citizens.

 

 

[jerojero]

How can a country move forward when its main source of transportation has been made illegal?   It is rather clever actually.  You make something illegal knowing the police will enforce the law because they will shakedown those breaking the "law".  Sadly, the junta is out of touch with the struggles of the rural Thai people.  A re-occurring theme in LoS.  If TV could be taken as a barometer of the junta's popularity, it would be around 3%.    

Military leaders are part of the country's Elite, obviously support maintenance of the class structure in Thailand and couldn't relate to the common man no how.