THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Prem rebuilt the house of Thailand, only to see it torn down

Prem rebuilt the house of Thailand, only to see it torn down

With great sadness we learn of the passing of General Prem Tinsulanonda, in my humble opinion the foremost statesman of the 20th century: a great soldier, a great peacemaker and a great communicator in difficult times.

He was also a reconciler who united the Kingdom against the threat of communist insurgency.
Free of any self-interest, General Prem sacrificed his life to build peace and unity. In doing so, he rebuilt the economic house of Thailand, setting it in order with strong and solid foundations and proper furnishings and decoration.
I still remember many members of my Thai staff being happy to see Prem finally stand down from his post as prime minister in 1988. I warned them to be careful of what they wished for. From then on it was downhill for Thailand as, one after another, prime ministers started dismantling what PM Prem had constructed – taking off the roof, hawking the furniture, and selling the honour and dignity of their country. Eventually the man in Dubai sold off the remainder of the house and its foundations, before the coup in 2014 finally put a stop to this treasonous undertaking.
The sad tale reminds me of France under General de Gaulle: when French citizens failed to fully support him, he resigned with his dignity intact. 
PM Prem did the same, with his dignity preserved along with the unity of the country.
In contrast to many other foreigners, I feel it is not proper for me to criticise my host. I am a guest in this still relatively free country – certainly freer than the tormented and “politically correct” hodge-podge called Europe. 
RIP Christian civilisation.
Long Live the Kingdom of Thailand.
HHB

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