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Prayut’s Pledge to “Return Thailand to Happiness” Just Never Happened

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For nearly a decade, Thailand’s Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha used every trick in the book to keep his position as prime minister, including penning romantic ballads about restoring happiness to the Land of Smiles.

Despite his powerful position as former army chief and architect of a 2014 coup, observers and Thais say Prayuth’s long term will be remembered primarily for the bad – leaving democracy in shambles, cracking down on opposition, and piling up arrests for alleged royal defamation.

These concerns cast a lengthy shadow over any popularity he may have gained among Thais through his unusual sense of humor, lyric writing, and tendency to break into melody at inconvenient times, such as at a campaign rally in 2019 when he crooned love ballads.

The Thai people expressed displeasure in the May general election, in which Prayuth’s United Thai Nation Party (UTNP) fared poorly, cementing his destiny even before he announced his retirement from politics on Tuesday.

According to Ken Mathis Lohatepanont, a Thai political science researcher at the University of Michigan, the opposition Move Forward Party won the most seats in the election due to the backlash against his protracted leadership.

“Prayuth’s detractors will focus on the decline in democracy and freedom of expression, the anemic economy, and his personal antics [when they remember his tenure],” he told BenarNews.

2014 coup thailand

Prayuth’s nine-year reign began in an undemocratic manner

After the army deposed an elected government in May 2014, former Gen. Prayuth assumed Thailand’s leader by declaring himself Prime Minister. He stated at the time that his goal was to put an end to brutal street protests and to expose the alleged wrongdoing of the Yingluck Shinawatra government.

He gradually implemented changes that would keep the junta or himself in power.

For example, in 2017, his military administration drafted a new constitution that required a prime minister to have enough Senate support to win a vote in Parliament. Prayuth then packed the Senate with supporters of the monarchy, including himself.

Following a general election in Thailand in 2019, Prayuth was elected prime minister, despite many observers alleging that the new constitution manipulated the poll to retain the pro-royal junta in office.

Prayuth managed to stay in power on his own, surviving four votes of confidence, including when he lost support within his party.

Despite his difficulties, Prayuth maintained a sense of humor and mischief while in government. He once avoided reporters’ queries by asking them to “ask him,” while pointing to a life-size cutout of himself. Another time, fed up with journalists’ queries, the prime minister strode up to them and sprayed them with disinfectant.

Thai King And Queen Now 'Fully Recovered' From COVID

Thailand celebrated its first coronation in nearly 70 years

Prayuth supervised a smooth royal succession during his reign. Analysts suggested in 2014 that the Prayuth coup was staged partly to ensure a seamless royal succession in the waning years of the late king’s reign.

Thailand celebrated its first coronation in nearly 70 years in May 2019, crowning Maha Vajiralongkorn Bodindradebayavarangkun (Rama X), two and a half years after the death of a respected previous monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX).

In 2017, the junta regime approved legislation giving Vajiralongkorn sole responsibility over the Crown Property Bureau, which oversees the monarchy’s lands and assets, valued at up to $30 billion.

Prayuth’s fondness for Thai royals was on full show in July 2020 when youth-led pro-democracy and anti-monarchy street protests erupted. Thousands of protesters frequently joined these protests to demand three things: Prayuth’s resignation, a rewrite of the constitution, and a reform of the monarchy.

Prayuth warned demonstrators in November of that year that “all pertaining laws,” including the stringent royal defamation Lèse-Majesté statute, would be applied. According to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, as of March 2023, at least 238 people, including a 15-year-old girl, had been charged with Lèse-Majesté.

“The forced confinement of a man in a mental institution for wearing a shirt with a pointed message about the monarchy, at a time when the King has ridden out the pandemic at a luxury hotel in the German Alps, underlines the regime’s insecurity,” wrote Zachary Abuza, a professor at the National War College and Georgetown University in Washington, in a July 2020 column.

moving to Thailand, Government, Protests

Continuous repression of democracy

Protesters calling for Prayuth’s removal claimed continuous repression of democracy, economic difficulties, and mismanagement of the pandemic. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Chulalongkorn University, argued in the Bangkok Post in July 2022 that Prayuth was too harsh in suppressing the protesters.

“The movement was dispersed and suppressed through a combination of water cannon[s], legal instruments, intimidation, and coercion – but its discontents and grievances are simmering under the lid of repression,” Thitinan said.

He also stated that while the protests had subsided, the country “seems to be heading for an inevitable reckoning in the medium term.”

According to Termsak Chalermpalanupap of the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute’s Thailand Studies Programme, that reckoning came in the May general election.

“The outcome of the May 2023 general election clearly showed that a majority of Thai voters were fed up with General Prayuth and his clique – the so-called ‘Three Ps,'” Termsak said.

He was alluding to Prayuth, former Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, and Gen. Anupong (“Pok”) Paochinda, all of whom were part of the 2014 coup.

“I would call Gen. Prayuth a failed leader, even though he had near absolute administrative power during his first four years as the military regime’s leader.” On May 22, 2014, Prayuth’s coup to depose the Pheu Thai-led coalition government was unavoidable – or perhaps required – to reset Thailand for the better. “However, Gen. Prayuth blew a golden opportunity to bring real change to the country,” Termsak remarked.

He referred to claims of widespread corruption in the Pheu Thai-led administration before the 2014 coup.

Thailand Falls Further in Corruption Perceptions Index Under Gen Prayut

Rampant Corruption Under Generals Rule

During Prayuth’s leadership, there was also “rampant and worse corruption everywhere, especially in the police,” according to Termsak.

As a result, the Prayuth government’s economic performance has been mediocre. According to the World Bank, Thailand has the most unequal economy in East Asia and the Pacific.

“Thailand’s inequality has skyrocketed since the 2006 coup; the military and its proxies have been in charge for the majority of that period,” National War College professor Abuza wrote.

According to Thouchanok Sattayavinit, a political science instructor at Burapha University, Prayuth’s government has produced more public debt than all preceding regimes combined.

“His government spent more money for military purposes, [and] weapons that have no benefits for the country,” Thouchanok told BenarNews.

Some argue that, with such a legacy, Prayuth should have stepped down sooner.

“Why did he decide so late?” wondered Chiang Mai resident Kessarin Preuksamongkol, 24.

“He waited until the last possible moment to ensure that his chances of becoming Prime Minister were nil, then he called it quits.”

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Millennials in Canada Have Turned their Backs on Justin Trudeau

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Millennials are increasingly distancing themselves from Trudeau
Millennials are increasingly distancing themselves from Trudeau - CBC Image

Justine Trudeau and his Liberal Party are currently engaged in a fierce battle for second place against Jagmeet Singh’s socialist NDP, as both parties find themselves trailing by 20 points behind Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives.

A recent poll indicates that 38% of Canadians consider Trudeau to be the most ineffective leader the nation has encountered in over fifty years. An impressive 47% of Canadian Millennials indicated they would support Poilievre if an election were to take place today, while nearly half of all Canadians express a desire for an election to be called this year.

Pierre Poilievre’s strong appeal among young voters can be attributed primarily to economic factors: soaring inflation, a pressing cost-of-living crisis, and the challenge of housing affordability are pushing many away from the Liberals, who have held power for nearly nine years.

According to UnHeard, Millennials are increasingly distancing themselves from Trudeau due to his stringent measures aimed at controlling the internet to combat alleged disinformation, as well as his climate change initiatives, notably the carbon tax.

protest in downtown Toronto against mass immigration took place on Canada Day

Protest in downtown Toronto against mass immigration on Canada Day – TNC Image

An increasing number of Canadians are becoming aware of Trudeau’s ineffective policies and his approach to mass immigration. This past summer, there was significant outrage among parents of teenagers and young adults as they observed their children remaining at home without jobs.

The primary concern stemmed from the fact that most low-skilled and entry-level positions were being filled by unskilled, temporary foreign workers, predominantly from India.

There has been a notable rise in criminal activities linked to international students and unvetted temporary residents who are becoming involved with Punjabi gangs in Canada, contributing to a surge in auto thefts nationwide.

Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives are actively seeking to alter Trudeau’s approach to mass immigration and prioritize the construction of more housing should they come into power.

Significantly, Pierre Poilievre is perceived as more trustworthy than Trudeau, with over half of Canadians characterizing Poilievre as “open and honest about his actions, decisions, and intentions,” while only 39% share that sentiment regarding Trudeau.

The characteristics in question may shed light on Poilievre’s favorable polling, particularly among younger voters and women, who have historically leaned towards the Liberals or the NDP rather than the Conservatives.

The Liberal Party’s support has dwindled to an estimated 7% of Canadians, revealing a significant number of disillusioned voters eager for transformation. Poilievre is emerging as the type of leader that resonates with the desires of many Canadians.

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U.N. Special Rapporteur Calls on Thailand’s Banks to Cut-Off Myanmar Junta

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UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar Tom Andrews speaks during a press conference after a meeting with Thailand's Parliamentary Committee

The U.N special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar has said the Bank of Thailand, commercial banks, and the anti-money laundering office are working on measures to stop the Myanmar Junta from acquiring weapons through Thailand’s banking system.

Tom Andrews the U.N. special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, said that some banks commercial in Thailand had aided Myanmar Junta’s by facilitating transactions that supplied military equipment to the Junta through the international banking system.

He called on the Bank of Thailand and financial institutions to do more to stop Myanmar’s junta acquiring weapons which they use on civilians to maintain power.

The special rapporteur was in Bangkok to address a parliamentary committee on security, he called on the Thai government to stop financial transactions that help supply weapons to Myanmar’s junta in line with a plan promoted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that sets out an end to violence as a first step toward peace.

In his 2023 report “The Billion Dollar Death Trade,” Andrews noted that Singapore had implemented a clear policy opposing the transfer of weapons to Myanmar.

Thailand's Banks

Thai Baht – File Image

Thailand’s Banks Lacked Clear Policy

As a result, exports of weapons and related materials from Singapore-registered entities using the formal banking system dropped from almost U.S. $120 million in fiscal year 2022 to just over $10 million over the next 12 months.

However, he said Thailand had no explicit policy position opposing weapons transfer to the Myanmar Junta, which saw exports from Thai-registered entities more than double in 2023, from just over $60 million to nearly $130 million.

He called on Thai Government to conduct a thorough investigation into transfers as Singapore had done into its companies’ dealings.

Andrews told the the committee that five Thai commercial banks and Thai-based companies were assisting Myanmar’s junta obtain weapons, dual-technology items and jet fuel, enabling Military Junta to conduct atrocities against the people.

But said he had found no evidence that the Thai government was involved or was aware of the transactions or that Thai commercial banks had knowledge.

Thailand's Banks

Photo courtesy of The Nation

Banks Condemn Myanmar Junta Violence

Meanwhile representatives from Thailand’s central bank, anti-money laundering office and the commercial banks named in the report were also present at the parliamentary meeting at government house in Bangkok.

A representative of the Bank of Thailand said officials were working with the commercial banks and the anti-money laundering office to make sure that enhanced oversight was properly practiced.

The Thai Bankers Association that was also at the parliamentary meeting said it did not have the means to investigate and monitor such irregularities beyond Thailand’s borders.

Mr. Pongsit Chaichatpornsuk, a Thai Bankers Association representative told the committee that If government security agencies tell us, we will stop transactions. We don’t support arms procurement by Myanmar Junta or any military government to violate human rights.

Thailand, which shares a long border with Myanmar and hosts many thousands of refugees fleeing conflict there, has tried to promote dialogue between Myanmar’s military rulers and opposition forces but no progress has been made.

This Article was first published in RFA

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People Rushing Sign Online Petition to Impeach South Korea’s President Crash Site

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South Korea's President

The Speaker of the National Assembly of South Korea said in a statement that an online petition calling for South Korea’s President Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment crashed due to the enormous number of individuals attempting to sign the petition. Saying the National Assembly would resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

Since the petition was launch on the National Assembly’s website on June 20, more than 811,000 people have signed it. The petition urges Parliament to introduce legislation to impeach President Yoon on the grounds that he is unfit for office.

Late on June 30, National Assembly Speaker Mr. Woo Won-shik issued an apology for the disturbance and stated that Parliament would take action to protect the public’s fundamental rights.

People attempting to access the petition on July 1 experienced delays of up to four hours. At one point, an error message indicated that more than 30,000 individuals were waiting to access the site.

South Korea’s Parliament Hesitant

The online petition accuses Yoon of corruption, escalating the risk of conflict with North Korea, and endangering South Koreans’ health by failing to prevent Japan from leaking treated radioactive water from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant.

By law, Parliament must assign every petition signed by more than 50,000 people to a committee, which will then decide whether to put it to a vote in the assembly.

However, the opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in Parliament, is hesitant to turn the petition into an impeachment bill, according to media reports, with a spokesperson stating that the party has yet to address the topic.

The Parliament can impeach a president with a two-thirds majority. The Constitutional Court then deliberates the motion and decides whether to remove or reinstall the president.

Meanwhile, on Monday Reuters reported North Korea criticized a joint military exercise performed this month by South Korea, Japan, and the United States, according to official media, saying such drills demonstrate the three nations’ alliance has evolved into “the Asian version of NATO”.

On Thursday, the three countries began large-scale combined military drills named “Freedom Edge” featuring navy destroyers, fighter fighters, and the nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, with the goal of strengthening defenses against missiles, submarines, and air strikes.

The drill was designed at a three-way meeting at Camp David last year to boost military cooperation amid concerns on the Korean peninsula caused by North Korea’s weapons testing.

Pyongyang will not overlook the strengthening of a military bloc led by the United States and its allies, and it would respond aggressively and decisively to defend regional peace, according to North Korea’s foreign ministry, as reported by KCNA.

 

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