Level political playing field
Despite vehement denials by his close aides that Prime Minister and regime leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s social media campaign is all about his political future, the facts speak for themselves. Gen Prayut’s launch of personal Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts over the weekend has caused a major stir.
On Wednesday, Buddhipongse Punnakanta, deputy secretary-general to the PM, admitted that the online campaign was his brainchild as Gen Prayut needs a better channel to communicate with the public so he can react more quickly to events.
Yet, critics have frowned at the move which they complain gives the junta leader a political advantage at a time when political parties are banned from using digital platforms for political campaigns. Besides, the regime has maintained its ban on political activities, including gatherings of five persons or more. Certain academics and activists have been targeted under this dubious junta order.
Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda even expressed concern that social media channels might give some political parties an upper hand over their rivals. EC chairman Itthiporn Boonprakong, while questionably denying that Gen Prayut’s online campaign amounts to electioneering, insisted the agency is keeping a close watch on old and new political parties, and those failing to comply with the restrictions will face harsh action.
In other words, the rules do not apply to the regime leader whose political ambitions are becoming clearer by the day. The prime minister and his proteges seem to be going overboard in making statements that politics is a dirty business, while at the same time demonising politicians outside the sphere of their control.
Army chief Apirat Kongsompong’s statement condoning possible future military intervention also appears to cast politicians in bad light. “If politics does not create riots, nothing will happen,” he said, meaning that coups will still be a way to solve such problems. But everybody knows that Gen Apirat is no stranger to the power game. His father, the late Sunthorn Kongsompong was a key figure in the 1991 coup that ousted the elected Chatichai Choonhavan government.
While clipping politicians’ wings with the ban on activities, the regime has also resorted to several ways to help secure its own political advance. Among them are populist projects under the Pracharath (public and private partnership) scheme costing huge sums of tax money. It should be noted that the regime is attempting to upgrade this scheme with the Pracharath and public welfare bill that is expected to be submitted to the coup-installed National Legislative Assembly for rubber-stamping, shortly before the country moves into election mode.
It cannot be denied that the role of Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana as leader of the newly formed Palang Pracharath Party (PPP), which has almost the same name as the regime’s flagship scheme, will surely pave the way for a political comeback for the regime leader. Three other cabinet ministers have also joined the party: Science and Technology Minister Suvit Maesincee, is PPP deputy leader; Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong is PPP secretary-general; and PM’s Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool is party spokesman.
Their dual roles lead to questions over political legitimacy. Through a connection with the Sam Mitr (Three Allies) group, with Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak as the focal point, the PPP has been accused of courting big names from old political parties, without any regard for their past bad behaviour. All this appears to be to solidify the political base of Gen Prayut for when he officially announces his decision about his political future.
While the military regime is preaching about good politics, it is failing to lead by example. That such a tight ban on political activities is still in place more than four years after the coup speaks volumes about its failure to foster national reconciliation.
It’s not too late for the regime to learn that a healthy political environment begins with a level playing field for everyone.