2014 coup d'état and premiership Prayut Chan-o-cha

1 2014 coup d état , premiership

1.1 returning happiness people speeches
1.2 article 44
1.3 civil liberties
1.4 economic policies
1.5 human trafficking
1.6 state influence of buddhism
1.7 prime ministerial viewpoints
1.8 songwriting

2014 coup d état , premiership

following 2013–14 thai political crisis, prayut attempted bring rival parties agreement. when failed, staged coup against caretaker government of yingluck shinawatra on 22 may 2014. yingluck herself had been removed office earlier constitutional court, , niwatthamrong boonsongpaisan acting in place. after coup, prayut repealed 2007 constitution , established ncpo govern nation, himself head. prayut cracked down on dissent. took control of media, imposed internet censorship, declared curfew nationwide, banned gatherings of 5 or more persons, , arrested both politicians , anti-coup activists exercising right of free speech. of them charged sedition , tried in military courts.

on 22 july 2014, prayut issued interim constitution granting himself amnesty leading coup , investing himself complete control. on 31 july 2014, national legislature established according constitution. however, legislators, senior military , police officers, handpicked prayut , included prayut s younger brother. legislature, consisted of prayut s close associates, later unanimously voted prayut new prime minister. formal appointment made on 24 august 2014. result, prayut held 3 positions @ same time: army chief, ncpo leader, , prime minister, before retiring army chief post in october 2014.

although prayut claimed coup needed combat corruption, members of own cabinet , members of appointed national legislature, including brother preecha chan-o-cha , minister office of prime minister m.l. panadda diskul, have been beset various corruption scandals. prayut prohibited criticism of government. in february 2015 explained, if people want opinion polls, free so. if polls oppose ncpo, not allowed.

in role head of ncpo , government, general prayut granted salary of 125,590 baht (us$3,520) per month. each of other ncpo members granted salaries of 119,920 baht (us$3,362) per month. these salaries in addition benefits entitled receive virtue of posts in armed forces.

his appearance in milan @ 10th asia-europe meeting (asem) on 16 october 2014 drew protests.

returning happiness people speeches

prayut chan-o-cha, prime minister, kingdom of thailand & kobkarn wattanavrangkul, minister of tourism & sports, kingdom of thailand

on 30 may 2014, prayut gave first of series of friday night speeches on national television. preempting normal broadcasting, including thai soap operas, prayut spoke more hour, explaining governmental policies, warning media cease spreading dissenting views, , complaining people weren t minding him. feel bit slighted. not sure whether have heard me or listened information have sent out , once said. in march 2015, prayut announced friday night addresses shortened 20 or 30 minutes , include ministers speaking themselves. m tired of speaking hours, said. on, reduce duration of returning happiness people speech ever [sic] friday , have ministers oversee each topic speak in programme.

article 44

on 31 march 2015, prayut announced had taken required step of asking king s permission revoke martial law, had been in place since coup of may 2014, replaced article 44 of interim constitution. article 44 authorises junta chairman issue order suppress act undermines public peace , order or national security, monarchy, national economics, or administration of state affairs, whether act emerges inside or outside kingdom. bangkok post commented, section has no constraint, no oversight, no checks or balances, , no retribution. says forthrightly done ncpo chief legal, constitutional , conclusive . article 44 means prayut law...it needs added junta leader can insist on staying on in absolute power indefinitely . prayut told reporters not use article 44 violate civil rights of innocent. if didn t wrong, why [you] worried? snapped in response question. according article 44, prime minister not required inform government before issuing order, must notify interim parliament without delay . in august 2016, article 44 used suspend sukhambhand paribatra, governor of bangkok, after irregularities made office of auditor-general (oag).

civil liberties

in february 2015, prayut declared had power forcefully close media outlets. in march, when asked how government deal journalists did not adhere government s laws, took harsher position, ll execute them , said prayut, without trace of smile... don t have support government, should report truth former army chief said, telling reporters write in way bolsters national reconciliation in kingdom . remarks promptly condemned international federation of journalists (ifj).

economic policies

prayut chan-o-cha, wttc global summit, 2017

the prime minister has claimed thailand s economic slowdown not attributable government, due world economic situation. stated goal of moving thailand middle income economy high income economy aiding farmers , encouraging thai industry produce quality products @ low prices. in speech before federation of thai industries, prayut declared providing more aid farmers, increasing sale of thai rubber china, , completing potash mining project cut farmers cost of fertiliser achieve goal. encouraging manufacturers cut packaging costs, particularly beautiful packaging .

human trafficking

in nationwide address of 27 march 2015, prime minister focused on thai fishing industry , reliance on forced labour. gen prayut said government had elevated fight against human trafficking top of national agenda, same drug suppression, saying has long tarnished country s image. blamed worsening human trafficking, particularly in fishing industry, on inaction or ignorance previous government, toppled in 22 may coup. prayut vowed put fishing operators out of business if found violate laws , abuse workers in ways jeopardise thai exports worth hundreds of billions of baht year. thailand facing international bans of fisheries products. these bans extended other thai exports rice or rubber. people wrong in area must repent. have done long time, many years, , past administrations never able cope , said.

state influence of buddhism

buddhism in thailand came under higher state control during prayut s premiership. following coup, national council peace , order (ncpo), set national reform council religious committee led former thai senator paiboon nititawan , former monk mano laohavanich. calls reform led 1 of prayut s close allies, activist monk phra buddha issara, known leading violent protests in bangkok led coup.

state influence on several aspects of thai buddhism increased under prayut s government. during time, ruling junta proposed requiring temples open finances public , requiring monks carry smart cards identify legal , religious backgrounds. junta s new constitution states thai government directly support theravada buddhism specifically.

in 2016, prayut stalled decision sangha supreme council refusing submit nomination supreme patriarch of somdet chuang, maha nikaya monk next in line position. appointment stalled until law passed allowed thai government bypass sangha supreme council , appoint supreme patriarch directly. led appointment of monk dhammayuttika nikaya instead king rama x, chose name out of 1 of 5 given him prayut.

in 2017, prayut used article 44 replace head of national office of buddhism department of special investigation (dsi) official. dsi official, pongporn pramsaneh, vowed reform thailand s more 40,000 temples forcing them open finances public. however, in august 2017, prayut removed him post after religious groups called on government fire him because of reform plans, viewed damaging image of monks. phra buddha issara said junta gave in pressure given government promises fight corruption.

prime ministerial viewpoints


in aftermath of slaying of 2 british tourists on ko tao, prime minister prayut observed that, there problems tourist safety,...they think our country beautiful , safe can whatever want, wear bikinis , walk everywhere....can safe in bikinis...unless not beautiful?
the prime minister has asked media not report on human trafficking suppress country s flaws without considering how news impact country s seafood industry , reputation abroad. please don t escalate news, prayut told reporters in advance of channel 3 report thai nationals forced slaving on thai fishing boats in indonesian waters. media should consider impact news have on country, said. may cause problems, , affect national security ... if news gets published, [it raise] problems of human trafficking , iuu [illegal, unreported , unregulated fishing]. warned if news reports cause thailand s seafood industry lose customers, people published news have held responsible. government summon channel 3 journalist, thapanee ietsrichai, has been reporting on plight of thai men labouring on ships. let me tell now, thapanee have come see officials, said prayut.
in speech marking thailand s national media day on 5 march 2015, prime minister prayut urged journalists go beyond merely reporting facts . morning, said media needs impartial. no. don t think should that. isn t good,...what should is, first, media should report news factual. second, should support government s efforts move country forward. , third, should reduce conflicts in society, , create understanding government s policies give clear results. can not these 3 or 4 things together, dears? went on say, if person says, side good, side not good, if media keeps presenting news that, when our country have peace? general wished media happiness , told journalists reporters, quality reporters, , lovely reporters.
gen prayut pledged use article 44 powers address nation s failure meet international civil aviation organisation (icao) aviation safety standards. prime minister placed blame on staffing issues, noting department of civil aviation (dca) has 13 aviation safety inspectors. dca employs 1,514.
in weekly friday night returning happiness people televised broadcast of 24 april 2015, prime minister gen prayut conceded section 44 powers not enough resolve illegal fishing issues have prompted eu warning , possible ban on thai exports within six-month period stipulated eu. noted long-standing problem , that, cannot use article 44 solve every problem, cannot use solve expensive lemons, solve economy or solve icao aviation safety concern problem. section 44 allowing military officers not in past. during same program, prime minister reported progress on tackling forest encroachment, saying government had reclaimed more 35 million rai (56,000 km) of illegally occupied public forests.
at anti-corruption event in bangkok on 8 june 2015, prayut vowed eliminate corruption , repair thailand s tarnished international image. @ 1 point, responding media questions, stated, don t try fool me , act can or because democracy.... misunderstand something? today, 1 makes rules. previous governments couldn t that. today, made rules [sic], , of have follow them.
speaking visiting group of young thais raised abroad, prime minister prayut said, ...many groups try...to compare our monarchy other nations. cannot done, because our [monarchy] has long, ancient history. [thai monarchs] deities. our king not involved anyone. above disputes. when violates him, need use section 112 of criminal codes, libel law, because whenever insults us, can sue them, if s monarchy, [the royal family] cannot sue them. because majesty not involved anyone, , under constitution, , under every law government has created protect him. yet, people see human rights issue. let me ask you: if insults father, give in? wouldn t. if happens our parents, can sue. since majesty king not involved, cannot sue, , take care of him? thai people have to. whoever doesn t understand not thai. awful. sensitive matter. ask audience explain monarchy of thailand not monarchy in other country.
in speech launching discover thainess 2015 festival, prayut declared disagreeing vision ...was incompatible nature of thainess . whoever causes chaos thailand or disrupts peace , order, should not recognised thais, because thais not destroy each other,...the charm of thai people lovely when nothing, because have smiles,... ”
if seafood expensive don t eat it. leave wealthy. cannot ensure equality in manner. if want eat expensive items must work hard , find lot of money....we cannot pull same level.
announcing public assembly act, took effect on 13 august 2015, gen prayut said law requires protesters apply permission police rallies @ least 24 hours in advance. bans demonstrations within 150 m (500 ft) of government house, parliament, royal palaces, , courthouses unless authorised authorities. bars protesters blocking entrances or creating disturbance @ government offices, airports, seaports, train , bus stations, hospitals, schools, , embassies. law strictly enforced prevent type of nuisance , violence happened in past, prayuth told reporters. s not possible have all—happiness, equality, democracy—without giving tools.
a bomb exploded @ bangkok s erawan shrine on 17 august 2015, killing 20 , injuring 125 persons. commenting on search responsible, prime minister prayut, had earlier rejected offer of investigative us, suggested thailand s senior police educate how investigate bombing watching blue bloods, fictional new york police crime series. police investigators, national police chiefs, should watch series, prayut told journalists. tips, ideas , insights case.
the prime minister said in august 2015 press conference politicians have no right criticise new, draft constitution. rival politicians have urged national reform council reject new charter, citing numerous defects. have no right suggest anyone. prayut told reporters. why media give platform these people?...these people, being harsh me, have harsh in return,...there s no need prohibition [gag order] now. when time comes, deal them, prayut said. today have teach people think....today still stuck in trap of democracy, trap of conflicts, fumed. still let emotions dictate our judgment. have fix these issues.
in november 2015, quoted if want engage in activism or whatever, it’s them. if aren’t afraid of laws, it’s them, , if finds gun , shoot them, or throws grenades @ them, well, have live that. if aren’t afraid, it’s them.
unveiling government s 2015 year-end assessment of achievements during year, prime minister prayut denied government committed human rights abuses against critics. said detentions of activists fault of opponents protesting against rule. law says can t , yet still it,... lamented. prayut s government pointed survey conducted national statistical office found 99.3 percent of 2,700 thais surveyed satisfied government s performance.
in event showcasing governmental achievements in 2015, pm prayut told top supporters ...up middle class swarm polls , defeat poor after government handouts....if [political parties] use same old campaign strategy, come [to power] votes of poor want more money make life better, said. people in middle- , upper income ranges have to...cast votes in national polls , charter referendum too. during same week disparaged poor looking handouts, government announced slate of new year s gifts populace. these included tax breaks on purchases made between 25–31 december, toll-free expressways, , discounted appliances , other governmental largesse.
on 25 december 2015 prime minister prayut said no longer put criticisms irresponsible newspaper columnists , had instructed officials invite them talks . said media should not accuse him of depriving them of free expression had made clear them limits of free expression , media responsibilities.
why don t people respect laws instead of asking democracy , human rights time?...no 1 allowed oppose [the ncpo]. dare try oppose [the ncpo]...i don t care international community think this. send officials explain foreign embassies. not afraid of them. tell them understand thailand , enforcing thai laws.
speaking @ vocational training gathering on 29 january 2015, prayut veered off-topic , launched discussion of gender roles. s saying should create equality, women , men should have same rights, should able same , bad things—if s case, if s how think, thai society deteriorate! went on, women gender of motherhood, gender of giving birth. when return home...who it? has wife? isn t wife looking after home? @ home s big boss, isn t she? outside m boss—at work, everywhere have lots of authority. when return home, have quiet because s looking after home, kids, in house. haven t done @ home since married, s doing everything.
in final week of march 2016, prayut attended nuclear security summit in washington dc. while there, granted interview thai section of voice of america. in interview, prayut charged disaffected politicians had fled thailand following may 2014 coup had hired lobbyists in spread propaganda discrediting government. cited fabricated lies government had murdered 400-500 journalists , had imprisoned thousands of thai citizens. in spite of fact there no reports of such stories in media.
matichon online reported on tuesday, 12 april 2016, prayut, before cabinet meeting, greeted people convivial wishes songkran holiday. prayut urged thais wear traditional thai costumes holiday , refrain baring of bodies during festival. according prayut, ...women candies or desserts should wrapped nicely... because people not buy unwrapped candies or desserts. during songkran, ask women wear proper clothes, thai style, , civilized, said prayuth, father of 2 daughters. asserted women toffee or candy, people shun if unwrapped.
speaking of draft constitution, on 19 april 2016, prayut said, [critics] have no rights disagree [with draft constitution]...i don t allow debate or hold press conference draft constitution. yet still disobey orders. arrested , jailed 10 years. no 1 exempted when referendum act becomes effective [after publication in royal gazette]. not media. why don’t people respect law instead of asking democracy , human rights time?
on 11 july 2016, prayut said if august draft constitution referendum voted down, draft himself, adding since has survived military parachute training. if things remain unsettled, draft [the constitution] myself,...there nothing in world can’t do. soldier, ve been through lot, risking life many times. when in infantry...i underwent parachute training. had jump , land myself. once deployed parachute, knew can anything. following day prayut retracted statement, attributing slip of tongue. blamed media highlighting thoughtless words , putting him in bad mood.
on 10 february 2017, prayut asked public not obsessed democracy, rights, , liberties. said people should take consideration other principles, existing laws, find proper logic . stated government cannot swayed public s feelings. gen prayut said societal conflicts arise social , economic disparity , educational system fails instill proper way of thinking.

songwriting

as new year 2016 gift thai people, general prayut announced had written new song boost country s morale. wrote personal new year present people, gen. prayuth said. in lyrics, doesn t mean me, means media, too, because united , have please them. use every breath country move forward. song, because thailand, sung sergeant-major pongsathorn porjit, includes lyrics, day hope not far away , because thailand, not let destroy you.

in aftermath of 2014 coup, prayut wrote song called return happiness thailand, played on state radio , television stations.