PM launches social media blitz

PM launches social media blitz

Critics rail at 'veiled canvassing' online

Social media sites labelled identically as @prayutofficial sprang up Monday on Facebook (left), Instagram (top right) and Twitter.
Social media sites labelled identically as @prayutofficial sprang up Monday on Facebook (left), Instagram (top right) and Twitter.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's latest social media campaign has met with mixed reactions, earning him brickbats from critics and bouquets from supporters after he launched a new Facebook page Monday, as well as Twitter and Instagram accounts, ostensibly to engage more closely with the public.

Shortly before this move, the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) eased its ban on parties engaging in political activities. However, they are still prohibited from using digital platforms for political campaigns.

Politicians say the premier has taken unfair advantage of the situation in the run-up to the general election expected in late February.

Comments were piling up on Gen Prayut's Facebook account after his social media blitz. He also launched a new website.

Also debuting on Monday was the brand new bilingual website www.PrayutChan-o-cha.com - although the English section is still 'Coming soon'.

"I have opened a personal Facebook account as another channel to communicate my policies and work, and as a means for me to come into closer contact with the public," he wrote to mark the launch of his @prayutofficial account.

He also has another Facebook page run by his team at Government House.

"If you have suggestions, want to exchange views or want me to solve your problems, please tell me," the prime minister wrote, adding later that his goal was to more clearly understand the kind of problems people are facing to help the regime prioritise issues.

After reading some of the comments, he thanked those who had visited his Facebook page and pledged to read as much of the feedback left there as possible.


These are the Prime Minister's social media sites that popped up on Monday, in case you want to bookmark them:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/prayutofficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/prayutofficial/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/prayutofficial/
Website: https://https://prayutchan-o-cha.com/


Of interest to many, the new sites registered Monday are hidden behind a privacy wall, with owners and administrators hidden from public view.

Requests for information are referred automatically to Privacy Protect, LLC (PrivacyProtect.org), a US company registered in Burlington, Massachusetts. Inquiries to that firm are merely transferred to that company's domain, (whois.publicdomainregistry.com).

PrivacyProtect.org, however, does reveal that the social media blitz was officially launched - and undisclosed payment made - on Sept 22. Registration and advance payment are valid just for one year.

PublicDomainRegistry charges a flat fee of US$35 (about 1,143 baht) to register a new domain name for one year.

Web hosting, however, is currently handled for the Prime Minister's website at P&T Hosting, a fully Thai company with head offices on Silom Road, Bangkok. The firm has offices in Myanmar, and co-location services through several other Thai technology companies including Proen Internet and CAT IDC, a subsidiary of state-owned CAT Telecom.

The hosting plan ordered by Gen Prayut's media team is not known, but P&T Hosting have a variety of plans ranging from 1,150 baht up to 10,000 baht per year, the latter described as "suitable for companies that require premium and high standards." The price does not include VAT.

The new account attracting the most attention Monday was his Facebook account.

It had drawn thousands of comments by Monday evening as well as 100,000 "likes" and some 100,000 followers. His Twitter account had drawn 10,300 followers by press time.

"Love Uncle Tu. I beg you to stay on as prime minister," one person wrote, referring to Gen Prayut by his nickname.

"You have promised that it won't take that long and soon we'll see our beautiful country restored once again. Now it's five years already, Uncle Tu" another quipped, citing a promise enshrined in one of the premier's favourite songs, Returning Happiness to All Thais.

One comment read: "A way to make oneself happy is to stay away from Facebook and social media. If you read the comments, this will completely drain you because you'll see people criticise you all day."

Another read "all six people in my house love you" while someone on the other side of the fence wrote "time for you to step down".

Gen Prayut is not the only political figure using Facebook to send out messages, air opinions or promote their activities. Ex-premiers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit are already quite active and have fairly large followings.

Mana Treelayapewat, dean of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's school of communication arts, said he supports Gen Prayut and other politicians using social media platforms to communicate with the public because Thailand ranks in the world's top 10 for social media usage.

"You can't deny Thai people communicate through social media regularly, so having social media accounts would help you to reach more people. It also helps them connect to citizens in a simple, relaxed way that's not too stressful," he said.

Mr Mana suggested politicians should use social media in a positive way and listen to people's opinions rather than use the platforms for their own gain.

Key Pheu Thai Party figure Chaturon Chaisang said Gen Prayut's social media campaign suggests he is seeking to become a prime ministerial candidate in the general election.

He said it is clearly a political move to reach out to the people, but it is unfair as political parties are still banned from presenting their policies to the public.

Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd brushed aside such criticism and called on politicians to treat the premier "fairly".

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