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Following his controversial invitation for public feedback on his four questions, Prayut has now posed 50 more ‘issues to think about’.
 
Over the past month, Thai civil society and the social media alike have lambasted Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha for posing via television four questions on elections for the people to answer through submissions at state offices. The questions were widely regarded as leading, because they presuppose that the country is not ready for elections.
 
In another televised address on 17 June 2017, Prayut released 50 more ‘thoughts’. The junta leader took great pains to emphasise that the 50 ‘thoughts’ are not questions and he does not necessarily want answers — he just wants the people to reflect upon the junta’s principles and logic. 
 
“These are not questions and answers, which will immediately be misunderstood again. Honestly, our country still has so many problems to reform. I’d like us to help each other think and act,” explained Prayut.
 
The 'thoughts' concern both platitudes (“26. Making the Thai people have faith in the justice system and the performance of the civil service or state officials is something that the government must do”) and statements that seem to reflect his own frustrations (“8. Taking proper care of the people, all groups and all parties, under the limited budget that we have is something I have already spoken about”).
 
It remains to be seen what the people make of 50 thoughts of General Prayut. 
 
 
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha
 

 

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