US must not impose its idea of democracy: PM

THE UNITED STATES should not try to impose a one-size-fits-all democracy on the rest of the world, Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday.

Prayut took to the podium as a keynote speaker at the 47th Wharton Global Forum at a Bangkok hotel and used the opportunity to extend an olive branch to other nations. 

He asked the audience, including alumni and faculty members of the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, to relay the message to the US.

“Please tell the United States that in tailoring you cannot just cut one dress and expects it to fit all. There must be many sizes for each to fit. That’s why a tailor is needed. You cannot tailor one dress and expect the whole world to wear it. Each nation has its own problems that differ,” said Prayut, adding that any aid from the US should be on the basis of equity.

Prayut said he was determined to strengthen Thailand’s ties with other nations.

“For those countries that won’t invite me, I’ll send a deputy prime minister to visit instead. Even if the US won’t let me visit, I am open for them to visit [Thailand] because we have longstanding relations lasting two centuries.”

Acknowledging criticism that he was not elected and the fact that he seized power through a military coup last year, Prayut also sought to defend the military regime.

“I am still being criticised today, accused of making Thailand a bad example for governance in the world. I don’t get it. Every country is watching us to see how Thailand will proceed and they are surprised that Thai people have no problem. 

“And they think some groups of Thais do not want the country to be democratic. So they are puzzled. We told them Thailand is unlike others.” 

The prime minister, who left for an official visit to Japan yesterday afternoon, insisted that no matter what, Thailand will continue to seek closer economic, political and security ties with countries like Asean member states, China, South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. 

“Today, we have relations with many nations. I ask all countries not to be angry at Thailand simply because of me. If there’s any inconvenience today, I will clear it up. 

“Please return and tell your country if there’s any problem then let me know. I’ll clear it up. There’s no point to meet in a conference and just shake hands. We must be able to relate because we’re friends,” said Prayut, adding that Thailand has been rated as the happiest nation on Earth.

“Thailand has been rated as the happiest nation on Earth because we adhere to the philosophy of a sufficiency economy. We’re moving ahead firmly and we must not become bankrupt.”

He seemed to be referring to a recent analysis by Bloomberg News that put Thailand at the top of a list of the 15 happiest economies in the world, which included Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, China, the US, Malaysia and Germany. 

Inflation and unemployment, two factors that make consumers unhappy, are remarkably low in those countries.