It's a busy, busy morning for Prayut

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016
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Wasamon Audjarint The Nation

For Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, being at the helm of the country includes watching, trying, advising and lecturing visitors, mostly from government sectors, who come to Government House every morning during the Cabinet’s sessions to promote their re

Yesterday morning was no exception, when Prayut got busy doing many things, ranging from milking a fake cow’s udder - which dispensed water instead of milk - to lecturing reformers on reforms, which he described as “things previous governments did not do”. 

His morning began with:

Milk it!

Prayut demonstrates the cow-milking process with Natchavee “Natcha” Kosolpisit, a young presenter for the World Milk Day 2016 campaign, which was organised by the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry to encourage people to drink milk for good health.

The premier also challenged Natcha to a milk-drinking contest - and won.

Watch those lips

Prayut practised Mandarin with Natcha, who is also famous for her TV show in which she shows how English and Mandarin words should be pronounced, marking each lesson with the catchphrase “Look at Natcha’s mouth”.

Prayut mimicked Natcha’s gesture by pointing at his lips and saying, “Look at the PM’s mouth”.

 

 

Opt for exercise instead of suicide

 

The premier also displayed some exercises using a scarf, which is also traditionally used as a loin cloth, before jokingly wrapping it around a fitness teacher’s neck, saying “Suicide is no good. Buddhism says those committing suicide will face a rough time in their next life.”

The loincloth was presented to him as part of a campaign to promote the Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem market from June 3 to 24. The campaign is organised by the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

 

Moves to promote tradition

Three muay thai boxers showed their moves to Prayut, who later asked for “triphala” juice to be given to the sportsmen as it can “heal not just internal bruising but also conflicts”.

 

 

Dancing for rain

 

A troupe of dancers perform the traditional “Phi Khon Nam”, in which they dress to look like water buffaloes and dance to pray for rain. This ritual, traditional to Loei’s Chiang Khan district, is usually performed in the month of May and was presented to the PM to promote tourism.

 

 

Prototype just for the PM

 

Prayut was seen driving a prototype electric vehicle around Government House compound. The vehicle, manufactured by FOMM Corporation, is believed to use half a much electricity as hybrid cars and said to be able to survive floods.

The car was presented to Prayut today by the Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology.

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