Thread: Prayut Warns Critics to Stop

Bangkok Post
February 20, 2015

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned his opponents that there is no room for compromise with anyone who tries to disrupt his administration's reconciliation plan.

In his weekly the Returning Happiness to Thai People programme on Friday evening, the prime minister urged those airing negative comments or stirring misunderstanding to stop or face severe consequences. Gen Prayut claimed he was aware of attempts to use violent means to oppose the government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

"Do not make a fuss. I give prior warning," the prime minister said. "I must warn you beforehand because penalties will follow if proven guilty. Prosecutions will be carried out to the full extent in such cases. ... This will be a problem for some figures if connections are found."

Nine months after staging a coup, Gen Prayut is facing more opposition at home and international pressure from the United States, the European Union and Japan, all of which have called for democracy to be restored and new elections to be held.

Police and soldiers last Saturday arrested four activists in front of the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre after they organised a mock election complete with ballot boxes to commemorate the Feb 2, 2014 poll that was voided by the courts. The protesters, who numbered about three dozen, had promoted their event in advance on Facebook and went ahead in defiance of the martial law prohibition of political gatherings.

"Just wait," the prime minister told reporters at Government House on Monday after the EU issued a statement the previous Friday against martial law and the use of the military court to try civilians

Over the past two weeks, red-shirt and Pheu Thai Party members have been called in for a new round of "attitude adjustment" talks with the army after criticising the government and NCPO in public or on social media.

Army chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr has warned that critics could be summoned to the barracks at any time if they continue to air criticism.

Gen Prayut on Friday also reiterated his unhappiness with columnists and academics in "certain media outlets", calling on them to do their homework and rto not show bias. "Do some research and make analysis based on substance and reasons," he said.

The prime minister, known for his belligerent attitude toward reporters, said it bothered him to have to answer questions that he had already answered or questions about matters that had already been concluded. "Work hits a stumbling block when people refuse to listen, when misunderstanding prevails, and when a cycle of arguments ensues," he said.

In a lengthy 74-minute address that touched on numerous other programmes his government was carrying out, Gen Prayut also said he was determined to "return convenience" to the people.

One-stop "G Point" centres offering basic public services are planned for 14 shopping malls in Bangkok. The first opened at CentralWorld last weekend. The centres can help people with legal documents, identification cards, vehicle tax processing, changing drivers’ licences and other services. More information is available at www.facebook.com/gpointthailand.

Prayut to critics: Watch out | Bangkok Post: news

He's just dying to pull the trigger on as many of his own people "as it takes"...

Originally Posted by BaitongBoy

He's just dying to pull the trigger on as many of his own people "as it takes"...

Discreetly, of course.

Hence, the long-standing activities of those disappeared.

Gen Prayut on Friday also reiterated his unhappiness with columnists and academics in "certain media outlets", calling on them to do their homework and rto not show bias. "Do some research and make analysis based on substance and reasons," he said.

Does TD classify as a 'media outlet'? Lots of academics here, yes.

Watched him drone on last night. The entire session a series of condesending statements related to the evils of criticism. All delivered in his normal style. Like a not so bright Thai teacher lecturing ten year old students.

My take from last nights session is the General and those around him are feeling the heat. The heat coming from far more than just the red critics.

Biscuit Tin Land.....

Originally Posted by Norton

My take from last nights session is the General and those around him are feeling the heat. The heat coming from far more than just the red critics

Interesting, Norton...

I just don't trust a cornered rat...And this guy is a dangerous fcker...

Originally Posted by Sumocakewalk

One-stop "G Point" centres

I like that idea actually, given the byzantium maze of the Thai bureaucracy. It might be a useful starting point towards real (and long overdue) bureacractic reform.
Anyway, drone on General- but keep the drones in their hangars. If I might suggest a measure, instead of the utterly redundant exercise of trying to teach the Thai about 'thainess', why don't you and your cronies actually take some lessons about the Thai people?

It's the oldest trick in the book of dictatorship politics. Give them bread and circuses.

Little shots of democracy laced with the internet and the General's policy soon becomes the equivalent of dropping a lighted match in an open box of fireworks.

Perhaps taking a page out of this guys book?

Originally Posted by BaitongBoy

I just don't trust a cornered rat...And this guy is a dangerous fcker

He didn't get to be Chief of the Army without knowing who's bottoms to sniff and who to keep happy.

He is as dangerous as he is allowed to be.

Yahoo News in a rice pledging article used the term "splenetic" to describe his usual comments. I had to look that up.

I cannot this guy anymore, hope the next elections will show him the correct way...

Originally Posted by Norton

Watched him drone on last night. The entire session a series of condesending statements related to the evils of criticism. All delivered in his normal style. Like a not so bright Thai teacher lecturing ten year old students.

My take from last nights session is the General and those around him are feeling the heat. The heat coming from far more than just the red critics.

Yet, all this contradiction is just an extension of Thai society generally speaking. Less under a directed military government or cloaked oligarchical order, even under the odd civilian "democratic" regimes - the placed censorship and repression of critique, questioning, challenging the status quo/convention is firmly in hand.

Not surprisingly, the catatonic presence is numbly felt through the educational systems. It's no wonder that we will find scores of brilliant Thai thinkers, scholars, and assorted academics who have fled, been exiled, or disappeared.

Critical or creative thought has never been the promotion of the Thai establishment - regardless of the sitting influence.

warns critics.....

Uh ohhh.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has warned his opponents that there is no room for compromise with anyone who tries to disrupt his administration's reconciliation plan.

i was prepared to cut this guy some slack, and assess him as a mediocre corporal, but I'm afraid that demotion is now a distinct possibility. He really is thick as two short planks.

He's just a mouthpiece for the string pullers. All this rhetoric means that the string pullers are getting anxious about growing opposition. Especially as students have started acting up and forgetting their Thainess training. Only sound bites for the moment. But when the Reichstag's torched, that's when it's really time to start executing the commies.

[QUOTE="thaimeme"]It's no wonder that we will find scores of brilliant Thai thinkers[/QUOTE

It will be a wonder

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Critical or creative thought has never been the promotion of the Thai

That's true

Just pointing out the obvious Flyfree...we don't live in a closet like Europe.

No shit, Sherlock!