PM needs to take a blow on the chin and move on

Nobody doubts that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha loves his country just as much as the next person on the street.
And because of his love for the country, Prayut launched a coup in May last year to scrap the 2007 Constitution so he and his associates can rebuild it from scratch.
Nobody doubts his intention was good. But people question his judgement on just about everything and they are worried that the man actually believes his own propaganda – such as when he told participants at the recent Wharton Global Forum in Bangkok that there is now peace and stability and that Thai people are happy.
If Prayut actually believes that, then now is a good time to sell him one of the bridges over the Chao Phraya River that links Bangkok to Thonburi.
Prayut said he doesn’t want the prime ministerial post but had to take it because he had to rescue Thailand from the decade-old political crisis. He thought good intent was enough to rescue him from critics, domestic and foreign. Of course, the military’s firepower at his disposable was helpful too – to silence domestic critics at least.
But when it comes to international relations – which is something the Thai military never seems to have a proper grip on – Prayut sadly missed the boat.
The man is still complaining, some what bitterly, about how a certain country, namely the United States, is not giving him the respect he deserves. After all, he rescued Thailand, right?
First of all, there is a thing called a ground rule. Once you violate it, you upset the other people who rely on this particular ground rule in their dealing with you.
Prayut wants us to believe that there was no other way to save the country – that he had to launch a coup to “reset” everything.
But the “reset” became a “shutdown” – to borrow a computer term – as restrictions are imposed on all sorts of public and political activity and we are not even talking about burning down buildings and city halls across the country liked the pro-Thaksin camp tried in the past.
We are talking about something as basic as a “three-finger salute” to express one’s disapproval of the junta’s policy and activities.
Yes, the United States should not impose its own benchmark on other countries, including Thailand.
“Please tell the United States that in tailoring you cannot just cut one dress and expect it to fit all…You cannot tailor one dress and expect the whole world to wear it. Each nation has its own problems that differ,” Prayut said.
Regardless if one is elected or came to power through a military coup, there is a thing called humility and Prayut should try to understand this virtue.
For one thing, stop crying over spilt milk and get over it. Open and free societies, namely Western nations, are not going to give visas to people who come to power in such a way.
Prayut acknowledged that he did not come to power via an election but he hoped that his determination to resolve the political crisis – and rid Thailand of the Shinawatra clan once and for all – was enough to win him support from the Thai people. For a brief moment, there was such support, especially from people tired of the street battles and demonstrations.
But Prayut can’t expect the honeymoon to last forever. The feeling on the ground is that he is not moving fast enough and that he and his junta could be more inclusive with initiatives for political reform.
For the sake of Thailand, let’s hope that Prayut understands that the absence of street protests and violence does not equate to peace. But somehow, judging from his statement below, such hope may be wishful thinking.
“I am still being criticised today, accused of making Thailand a bad example for governance in the world. I don’t get it,” said Prayut. “Every country is watching us to see how Thailand will proceed and they are surprised that Thai people have no problem.”