Prayut goes to Europe

Prayut goes to Europe

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is to fly to Europe tomorrow, landing first in London and then proceeding to Paris. The trip has been ballyhooed for a month by regime spokesmen as a culmination of sorts. They have been trying to sell the notion that the four-year battle for international acceptance and recognition has finally become a fact. Those spokesmen are not giving a realistic picture.

Not long after he lands in Britain, Gen Prayut is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Theresa May at her official residence for a courtesy call. And waiting across the road will be a group, probably small but definitely energetic, protesting his presence. Most of those in the group will be Thai.

One hopes Gen Prayut himself has not misread Ms May's acceptance of a courtesy call at 10 Downing Street. The anti-regime rally, which under no circumstances would be permitted in Thailand, is a good reminder of actual British policy. There is no chance that Britain will help Gen Prayut's government apprehend the Facebook site operator "KonthaiUk" who has recently rankled the government -- and who apparently will be among those at the rally. And the granting of a 10-year visa to Yingluck Shinawatra shows the official British opinion of the trial, verdict and prison sentence the ex-premier faces at home.

Next Monday, Gen Prayut is scheduled to make a courtesy call on French President Emmanuel Macron. France's separate policies towards Thailand and the ruling regime are virtually identical to those of Ms May's government in London. France encourages business with Thai firms, while simultaneously demanding the regime surrender power via the election box.

His aides and spokesmen may have given Gen Prayut the impression or even convinced him that the European Union has dropped its objections to junta rule. In fact, the EU including Britain have a dual policy of supporting their citizens and businessmen visiting, investing in and trading with Thailand. The EU continues to oppose the violations of both human and civil rights, and to demand elections to return political power to the people and civilian control.

A somewhat disturbing report last week from the main French news agency said Gen Prayut intends to sign to purchase a satellite from the French division of Airbus. This is not the military satellite deal previewed controversially by the Ministry of Defence. It is an upgrade for the Thaichote, or THEOS programme, where "THEOS" stands for Thai Earth Observation Satellite. This is, at least up to now, a purely civilian programme giving Thailand affordable access to Earth-imaging. This science accumulates massive data on the Earth below, useful for many purposes but especially agriculture.

THEOS was designed in 2004. The actual satellite was launched and the geo-informatics system was turned on in late 2008. The government has taken legal steps to authorise a THEOS-2 project. But the cost is spectacular -- 6.9 billion baht just for the satellite expertise by Airbus, according to the French report.

Gen Prayut should not commit fully to the Airbus project for now. After giving the country a record budget including a 20% rise in security spending, he should leave extraordinary spending like satellites until at least next year.

If Gen Prayut follows form he first displayed at the United Nations in 2014 and many times since, he will make promises. These will include to improve or return people's civil and human rights and the right to free expression. Ever since his May 22, 2014, coup, he has promise elections "next year". This time around, one hopes the foreign leaders he meets will note each promise and help Thais to hold the prime minister, his government and his junta accountable.

Editorial

Bangkok Post editorial column

These editorials represent Bangkok Post thoughts about current issues and situations.

Email : anchaleek@bangkokpost.co.th

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