What will Prayut be remembered for?

Prachyadavi Tavedikul said future generations will remember Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, but what will they remember?

He halted the stalemate in a divided country and gained time for it to heal. He defended his coup against Western threats and insults without direct retaliation in kind. He played America off against China with caution. He quietly named hundreds of corrupt officials. He cut short certain legal processes so as to expedite actions that had been frustrated. Though he held dictatorial power under Article 44, he used it sparingly.

He put into practice many measures that had previously been viewed as impracticable, such as the death penalty for corrupt officials. He also introduced an inheritance tax, believing it would make the distribution of wealth more equitable. He brought smiles to our faces when he lost his temper with reporters. His fatherly advice reminded us of that given by our own fathers. His daily “Return to Happiness” programme interrupted my viewing of the volleyball match between China and America at 6pm, as though to warn me not to take sides.

Overcoming my misgivings, I click “like” for his government.

Songdej Praditsmanont