OPINION

Prayut's stacked deck

Re: "Abhisit shuns Prayut supporters", (BP, April 2).

In saying that "anyone contemplating supporting Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha [to return as outsider PM] need not come to the party", Democrat leader Khun Abhisit Vejjajiva should have made it clear whether he disagreed with the process (which allows for an outsider PM) or the person (Gen Prayut), or both.

For me, I have no problem with anybody becoming PM -- so long as he/she comes to the post by an election, which is consistent with a democracy. Allowing for an outsider PM encourages parties to negotiate to form a government in bad faith, for if negotiations fail, then an outsider can come in -- and the deck is stacked in favour of a military-approved candidate.

I have been a great admirer and supporter of former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva for a long time. But now, Khun Abhisit does not want those MPs who have supported Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha welcomed back into the Democrat Party. Khun Abhisit is making a big, big mistake. At a time when every bit of support counts, he is alienating those who are in a position to help and support him. Bad move, Abhisit, bad move indeed.

Isn't it amazing just how much damage one person can accomplish when they are in the spotlight? Just four months ago the NCPO and their mighty military leaders were still managing to hold things together with words of doubtful probity and acts of severe repression. Perhaps only in first gear, they were still maintaining that roadmaps and elections were going to plan.

And then up popped a deputy prime minister's bejewelled hand. Since then the general in question has fallen to a new low in popularity with few accepting his lame excuses and many suggesting he should gracefully depart. Simultaneously he has wrought the same effect on his best friend Gen Prayut, who similarly has refused to act with any degree of urgency on what the public considers a matter of political importance.

If that weren't enough the whole affair has also dragged the NACC into complete disrepute and left Thai citizens with the question of just who is capable of acting in their best interests when it means going against people of high position and power. All that by just lifting a hand.

A curious characteristic of sycophants is their sleazy self-interested nature.

Regarding Thailand's watch saga, the public is fully capable of understanding the truth underlying Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon's claim that the attack upon him is really an attack upon Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. This is no longer the 1960s.

In the April 1 comment, "Regime had time, but they blew it", Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra were described as "living in exile". No, they are not. They fled Thailand of their own will. They should correctly be described as fugitives.

My dear friend of many years, Mrs Clampton mentioned the other day over tiffin that she was obliged to discipline her maid, Khun Hazel, for reading a book during working hours.

Further discussion revealed that the book in question was written by one of your correspondents, a Mr Roger Crochety and contains risqué details of his early days in old Siam.

As an avid student of history I wish to peruse this text for inaccuracies (and of course grammar mistakes), which I will convey to Mr Cratchety for inclusion in his next printing.

As Khun Hazel's copy has been destroyed as a punishment, can you please advise a source for this tome?

Khun Hazel has not been forthcoming.

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