Thread: Prayuth To Tour Two Redshirt Provinces This Week

Khaosod English
November 15, 2014

The chairman of Thailand’s military junta is scheduled to visit two northeastern provinces this week that are considered strongholds of the Redshirt movement.

Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, who is also Prime Minister, will tour the provinces of Khon Kaen and Kalasin on 19 November, officials at the Government House said. Officials say the junta leader is making the trip to collect opinions from the public about his administration of the country.

"He will listen to people about any problems they have, and he will use the same opportunity to explain about what the government has done, and what the government plans to do in the future," an official told Khaosod today.

The exact schedule will be finalized by Gen. Prayuth after he returns from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Myanmar, officials said.

Full article: Thai Junta Chairman To Tour Two Redshirt Provinces This Week

"Officials say the junta leader is making the trip to collect opinions from the public about his administration of the country."

Honest opinions?

Originally Posted by Neverna

"Officials say the junta leader is making the trip to collect opinions from the public about his administration of the country."

Honest opinions?

Dissenters and critics needn't show and share in these open and public forums....

Hand picked and told what to say....

Bangkok Post
November 16, 2014
Writer: Wassana Nanuam

Security is set to be tightened in Khon Kaen and Kalasin as Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha prepares to make his first visit to the northeastern red shirt heartland since becoming prime minister. The tighter security has been ordered to prevent anti-coup protests and ensure Gen Prayut has a warm and safe welcome when he visits the provinces on Wednesday, an army source says.

Provincial governors, military units and police in the areas have been contacted to formulate security plans.

Khon Kaen police yesterday held a meeting to come up with plans for Gen Prayut’s visit. Pol Maj Gen Jitjaroon Sriwanich, Khon Kaen police chief, said about 300 police officers will be deployed to provide safety for the prime minister at Muang and Kranuan districts where he and his government team will be meeting with people and local authorities.

“We are closely checking the movement of anti-government protesters. But we have not yet heard about any protest plans,” Pol Maj Gen Jitjaroon told the Bangkok Post Sunday.

The 21st Infantry Regiment Queen’s Guard will deploy a forward team to provide stringent security for the premier due to concerns about opposition to his government in areas known for having strong red-shirt support.

Army officers will also seek cooperation from local leaders to stop protesters causing trouble.

“People who have different opinions may be brought for talks and they may also join to welcome the prime minister to present their views to Gen Prayut in a peaceful manner,” the source said.

The source said Gen Prayut had expressed a desire to be able to travel to any region safely, including the red-shirt support bases of the North and Northeast.

Gen Prayut was born in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima as his father was sent to work there, the source said.

Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said Gen Prayut will meet with local people and authorities to monitor the effect of drought and help farmers with projects there. Mr Yongyuth said the prime minister will use the occasion to inform people about future projects and plans. He did not provide any further details of these.

The same source said Gen Prayut has plans to travel to every region before New Year’s Day.

Deputy Defence Minister and army chief Udomdej Sitabutr said he was not worried about boosting understanding among the northeastern people.

“There is nothing to be concerned about,” Gen Udomdej said during a visit to the Suranaree Learning Centre in the 2nd army base in Nakhon Ratchasima to review the base’s work and extend moral support to forces.

Commenting on reports that political parties are eager to hold meetings to sound out ideas to be forwarded to the Constitution Drafting Committee, Gen Udomdej said he had not yet seen requests from any party. Political gatherings are currently banned under martial law.

Asked if the National Council for Peace and Order would allow parties to hold meetings during this time, Gen Udomdej said he could not make unilateral decisions on some issues as they do not fall under his authority as army chief or secretary-general of the NCPO. He said existing orders on these issues must be heeded so that order can be maintained.

Tight security for Prayut's visit to red heartland | Bangkok Post: news

I thought he was loved by all.?

Happiness will abound, no doubt...

Originally Posted by Sumocakewalk

"He will listen to people about any problems they have

The first step to happiness, indeed...

How much they paying for rent a crowd per person, Sure Abhisit can put in touch with the ones he used before.

Hope he wears a bullet proof vest for his sake, one would hate to see him indisposed by the actions of some deranged redshirt.
,

"The source said Gen Prayut had expressed a desire to be able to travel to any region safely, including the red-shirt support bases of the North and Northeast."

Abhisit said the same.

I wonder if anyone will turn up?

No protests and no-one bothering to turn up for talks would speak volumes...

Come on, to anyone capable of critical thinking, he's already sending the message "I'm in control" when he interrupts their precious soap operas every time he wants to say anything.

Originally Posted by Troy

I wonder if anyone will turn up?

No protests and no-one bothering to turn up for talks would speak volumes...

Wouldn't surprise anyone if any and all of these promotional events were staged.
Perhaps, even paying folks to participate within the theatre theme.

Presumably he won't be travelling by helicopter now ....

... doesn't seem to be on any Thai news site...

A Thai military helicopter carrying nine army personnel has crashed in northern Thailand killing all on board, an army spokesman says.

The two-blade, twin-engine Bell 212 helicopter crashed 10 minutes after it took off from an army camp in Phayao province, 590 kilometres north of the capital Bangkok, deputy Royal Thai Army spokeswoman Colonel Sirijan Ngathong said.

The helicopter was carrying nine officers including Major General Songphol Thongjeen, deputy Third Area Army commander overseeing Thailand's north.

The cause of the crash was not immediately clear, Royal Thai Army spokesman Winthai Suvaree said.

Thailand's military has a history of fatal helicopter crashes. Three in 2011, just days apart, left 17 people dead and forced the army to ground its fleet of Bell 212 helicopters.

Engine failure and poor visibility are often blamed for the crashes. Reuters

Khaosod English
November 18, 2014

A core Redshirt activist in Khon Kaen province said his supporters will not stage any protests against the upcoming visit by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, the leader of the 22 May coup d’etat.

"We agree with his trip," said Napadol Seedatan, a coordinator of the Redshirts' umbrella group, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). "We will not stage any resistance or protest."

Gen. Prayuth, who chairs Thailand’s military junta and is also Prime Minister, is set to tour Khon Kaen on 19 November to collect opinions from the public and listen to their concerns, officials said.

The visit will be Gen. Prayuth’s first trip to northeastern Thailand, the heartland of the political faction that supported the government toppled in the 22 May coup.

But Napadol said authorities do not need worry because Redshirts "want to see a national reconciliation."

"We want the country to be peaceful for the next election," Napadol told Khaosod. "We are waiting for the new constitution. If there is an election, we will run in the election in accordance with the democratic regime. Please rest assured that there won't be any protest against the Prime Minister."

Full article: Khon Kaen Redshirt Leader Welcomes Prayuth To Northeast

The Nation
November 19, 2014

Five law students of Khon Kaen University on Wednesday greeted visiting Prime Minister Prayut Chanocha with anti-coup gesture before being escorted out of the hall.

Prayut, who was visiting Khon Kaen province to observe the drought situation, was speaking on the stage, when the three students showed no-coup gesture and tore off their shirts revealing black tshirts emblazoned with "No Coup".

Prayut seemed unperturbed, saying, "it's okay, they did not understand," and suggesting they file their complaints with Damrongtham Centre, which has been set up to receive complaints from the public.

Before continuing his speech, Prayut asked the audience, "is there anybody else wanting to protest?"

The five were taken to an army camp for registration of their protest. They are members of Dao Din group, an non-governmental organization in the northeastern region.

Prayut will travel to Kalasin province this afternoon to review the drought situation there.

Khon Kaen students protest at coup during PM's speech - The Nation

Glad to see these young Thai's standing up and participating in the visit. Unfortunately, I think they're in for a bit more than just the registration of their grievances.

What is it that PM thinks the protestors "did not understand"?

They"did not understand" they should not protest against the regime.

Originally Posted by Ozcol

They"did not understand" they should not protest against the regime.

The gall of some circles.
Taking an alternative stand, independent from what they have told.

The smug look on his face is memorable....

"attitude adjustment"

And he wants to be taken seriously by the outside world?

Originally Posted by Ozcol

Hope he wears a bullet proof vest for his sake, one would hate to see him indisposed by the actions of some deranged redshirt.
,

I would derive great satisfaction from just such a thing.