THEY SAID IT

“I HAVE SIX QUESTIONS.” Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, prime minister, chief aerobics instructor, Government House Segway test pilot, head of the ruling military council (NCPO), who then asked seven questions.

“GEN PRAYUT WANTS TO PROLONG HIS AUTHORITARIAN POWER.” Chaturon Chaisang, Pheu Thai Party, former cabinet minister.

“OLD POLITICIANS WILL RESURFACE FOR ELECTIONS, WHICH WILL NOT BETTER THE COUNTRY.” Somkid Jatusripitak, deputy prime minister, economy tsar, calls for a new political system headed by the general prime minister “to work for the nation”.

“BIASED AND SHAMEFUL.” Chusak Sirinil, legal affairs director, Pheu Thai Party, carefully analyses Gen Prayut’s questions.

“I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY SOME PEOPLE DISLIKE SOLDIERS.” Gen Prayut mixes up respect for the military with criticism of the military regime.

“THE NCPO WILL NOT BE INVOLVED IN POLITICS.” Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, deputy prime minister, top coup expert, on whether the military will set up a political party, the answer to which was “maybe”.

“THE PARTY IS NAMED PALANG CHART THAI.” Veera Somkwamkid, political and anti-corruption gadfly, claims Gen Prayut has established a political party to support him to remain as unelected prime minister.

“CRITICS SOMETIMES UNFAIRLY JUDGE MY PERFORMANCE.” Gen Chatchai Sarikulya, minister of agriculture, when word reached that he was on the likely chopping block in a cabinet reshuffle.

“THE NBTC DOES NOT SEEK TO TRACK CUSTOMERS OR VIOLATE THEIR PERSONAL PRIVACY.” Takorn Tantasith, temporary acting chief, National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, on a new requirement that each SIM card buyer register full biometric information before being allowed to use a mobile phone.

“WE’RE CHAMPIONS AGAIN BECAUSE WE’RE EMPHASISING RICE QUALITY.” Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president, Rice Exporters Association, on the second award in a row for Thai hom mali as the world’s best rice.