Govt slams media over ‘bias’ exercise-campaign reports

The spokesman said that the government had good intentions behind the campaign and was confident public servants understood the campaign’s objective. He called on the media to review its role and code of conduct and “adjust the attitude”.

“I am convinced that all public servants understand the government’s objective … [the media] is trying to influence the public to perceive that the campaign would lead the officers to stop working. For me, that comment is nonsense and full of partisan views,” he said.

The Prime Minister, after the weekly Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, determined that government and public officers would work out every Wednesday from 3pm to 4.30pm, the last hour and a half of the official work day.

On Wednesday, Prayut led ministers, officers, and journalists in an exercise session at Government House. The premier said he wished the officers good health, which would lead to better work efficiency. The activity was not mandatory, he added. “Those who have to get work done at that time, they can ask for their commanders for absence,” he said.

The junta head’s health campaign was on Friday praise by Margaret Chan, director-general of the World Health Organisation. Chan said that the premier was an exemplary health advocate leader, Sansern was quoted as saying.

However, the campaign has been criticised by some media outlets. They said that the exercise scheduled would consume work hours of public servants who relied on tax payers’ money and had to service the people. Netizens also voiced a mixed response towards the campaign. Some disagreed with the campaign, given that it would be inconvenient for people who needed to contact officials when they exercised. Others said that the campaign was appropriate but it was not clear how to evaluate how it would contributed to economic growth, which should be the junta’s main focus.