In the White House, Prayut’s power will be used against him

Acting US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs Susan Thornton said “the US wanted Thailand to crack down on North Korean companies in the Kingdom as well as put pressure on its diplomatic mission”.
They will pressure the good general to do more to stifle North Korean business in Thailand. If he does not agree, the US will threaten trade sanctions. The problem with being the all-powerful leader is that Trump can ask him to do things knowing that Prayut need not to worry about a parliament or Thai public opinion. Prayut’s desperation for recognition will be used against him. He is going to get worked over. 
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Right now, the US cannot comment much on Thai politics, except to push for improved free speech, or human rights or even demand a faster return to elections, etc. Thailand will keep promising all this for many years, all the while doing nothing.
Also, the US cannot impose any sanctions on Thailand, as “elder brother” China is cashing on anti-American sentiments in Asia.
Observe how the Philippines suddenly turned the tables towards China when Duterte took power, after the previous Manila administration had been critical of China to the point of almost declaring war over the South China Sea disputes.
Now it is the Chinese who have the real influence in Asia, and they are grooming dictators around them. The Chinese don’t want elected governments as their investments wouldn’t be safe. All China’s friends are ruled by dictators, including North Korea.
Thailand will be the same, another all-weather friend for China, doing business with rest of the world for economic benefits.
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