Thai touch as Prayuth Cabinet meets

However, some journalists were disappointed because tight security deprived them of a chance to speak directly to Prayuth or members of his Cabinet.

The security was noticeably tight, with officers from Special Branch police and soldiers at every gate in the compound. Reporters were also surprised to find that they had very limited access to the grounds. 

The first, though informal, meeting of the new Cabinet at the refurbished Government House kicked off at 9.30am. This gathering received a lot of attention from local and international media as all were keen to see the post-coup prime minister and his military-dominated Cabinet in their new roles. 

For the first time in decades, Cabinet members wore the prarajathan long-sleeved silk shirts in a move that appears to symbolise the changes this administration hopes to bring to the country. 

Opting for Thai attire instead of western suits also hinted at the Cabinet’s conservative stance. The first leader to wear this attire was Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.

Another old tradition followed was the auspicious timing each Cabinet member chose to enter Government House for the first time. The first arrival was Social Development and Human Security Minister Pol General Adul Saengsingkaew at 8.19am, followed by Deputy Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai at 8.29am.

Energy Minister Narongchai Akrasanee pulled up at 8.41am in a car carrying the licence plate number 1441. The numbers nine and four are believed to be lucky. 

Prayuth entered at 9.05am, wearing a blue prarajathan silk shirt. He looked to be in high spirits, waving to reporters and news teams before stepping inside the Thai Ku Fah building to pay his respect to the Brahma statue. Then at 9.15am, he made his way to the guardian spirit house and offered a seven-colour garland, along with food and drink. 

After paying respect to all shrines in the compound, he headed toward the meeting room, when a journalist stopped him for a “selfie”. Prayuth had previously posed for pics with reporters from the Army beat. 

“Don’t you want to take a selfie with us? Aren’t Government House reporters nice?” the journalist asked, to which Prayuth responded: “You are all equally nice.” 

 

Visits to Emerald Buddha, City shrine

Prayuth, who has always emphasised respect for religion, visited the Emerald Buddha Temple at 7am yesterday, in his Army uniform, to worship the most holy Buddha image in the country. He then went to the City Pillar Shrine, before moving to the Royal Thai Army Headquarters to swap his Army uniform for the prarajathan silk shirt before heading to Government House. 

At the Cabinet meeting, Prayuth said this was the right time for everybody to help push the country forward, by focusing on transparency and creating 12 national values for all citizens to follow.