BANGKOK — Thailand's unelected military ruler has asked the public to think of what is best for the nation when they vote, instead of relying on their "familiarity" with the candidates running in an election.

"One needs to know many things in order to run a country. I haven't studied about it, but I had to learn about it," said Prime Minister and junta chairman Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, a career soldier who seized power from Thailand's elected government on 22 May 2014. "Therefore, whoever will run the country next has to know more than I do. Don't just elect the same group of politicians you have elected in the past."

He continued, "Don't elect the relatives of the previous group. Don't just elect the people you know. Today we have to make politicians display their vision on how they will run the country."

Gen. Prayuth, who was speaking to teachers at the Ministry of Education on the occasion of National Teacher's Day, did not mention any politicians by name, but appeared to referencing the political dynasty of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Although Thaksin was removed in a coup in 2006 and has lived in self-imposed exile since 2008, political parties backed by the former PM have won every national election since his ouster. 

Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, led the government toppled by Gen. Prayuth in the 22 May 2014 coup.  

Gen. Prayuth has promised to hold a new election in 2016, if "national reforms" and "reconciliation" have been achieved. In today's speech, the junta leader asked all Thais to cooperate with the military regime to help accomplish those goals.

"The government cannot do everything alone," Gen. Prayuth said. "Otherwise, there may be opposing thoughts that cause conflicts. It takes time, because some issues need a new foundation, which may not be as fast as some of you have hoped. The government cannot think like rich people or educated people. We have to think like poor people, too."

He added, "Today Thai society must teach about cooperation. Different thoughts and arguments are allowed, but don't let them cause disputes. That way, we won't fall into the trap of democracy."

At today's ceremony, Gen. Prayuth was reunited with the teachers from his high school years. Per tradition, he knelt in front of them and offered a traditional "wai" to show his gratitude.

For comments, or corrections to this article please contact: [email protected]

You can also find Khaosod English on Twitter and Facebook
http://twitter.com/KhaosodEnglish
http://www.facebook.com/KhaosodEnglish

BANGKOK — Junta chairman and Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is planning to launch a new PR blitz informing the public of what he has achieved since seizing power from an elected government last May, his spokesperson said.

Gen. Prayuth believes his PR teams have failed to adequately inform the public about what he and the junta, formally known as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), have accomplished, said Maj.Gen. Sansern Kaewkumnerd.

"In recent months, the performance of the government, NCPO, and Ministries’ spokespersons have not satisfied the Prime Minister," said Maj.Gen. Sansern. "Their work has not been impressive. So the Prime Minister has ordered us to step up our efforts and create better understanding among the public."

Gen. Prayuth led the military coup against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra on 22 May 2014 amid ongoing anti-government protests in Bangkok. The former army chief was later appointed Prime minister by an interim parliament whose members he handpicked.

The junta chairman says the military takeover was needed to resolve the country’s political conflicts and bring about a series of national "reforms" before the next election can take place.

Since last May, he has used various state media channels to inform the public about the junta’s projects, including a weeklytelevised program every Friday in which he addresses the nation directly.  State channels also broadcast a daily 15-minute segment called "Thailand Moves Forward," which extols the military government's efforts to reform Thailand's economic, social, and political sectors. 

However, such PR efforts have been deemed inadequate, Maj.Gen. Sansern said.

"Each Ministry has to explain [about the junta's work], even if it means joining forums or shows that also feature members with opposing views, so that they can explain and create correct understanding," the spokesperson explained. "It's like turning crises into opportunities."

Maj.Gen. Sansern said that Gen. Prayuth does not plan to extend the airtime of his weekly talk show, called "Returning Happiness to the People," but may change some of the show’s content.

"We may adjust the content to fit the desire of the public," Maj.Gen. Sansern said.

In November 2014, Gen. Prayuth complained to the press that the public was not paying enough attention to his show.

"Are you all bored of it now? Do you want me to dance in front of the camera next time?" Gen. Prayuth asked on 25 November. He also instructed technicians at the Government House to change the background of the TV show to make it more "interesting."

His call spurred a number of social media users to post photoshopped images of Gen. Prayuth with comical backgrounds.

In the end, technicians simply adjusted the background by filming Gen. Prayuth in the interior of the Government House, instead of using the previous superimposed images of the Thai national flag.

When a reporter asked Gen. Prayuth on 28 November what he thought about the "submissions" by the Thai internet users, the junta chairman responded curtly: "I've seen them. They are all disgusting." 

Related coverage:
Junta Leader's Calls For 'New TV Background' Sparks Internet Meme
Military Reminds Northeastern Radio Stations To Broadcast Junta Programs

By Cod Satrusayang

BANGKOK (DPA) – A charging two-ton pachyderm would frighten almost anyone, and drivers in central Thailand this week were no exception.

But panicking is the worst thing you can do, according to Kanchit Srinapwan, head of Thailand's Khao Yai National Park, home to at least 300 wild elephants.

"The first thing you have to do is to keep calm," Kanchit said.

Over the past week images and videos from Khao Yai of unruly young male elephants assaulting vehicles in four separate incidents have gone viral on the internet.

One showed an elephant displaying amorous affection for a car.

For Kanchit and his staff, dealing with unruly elephants is an annual challenge. Each year there are reports of elephants in musth misbehaving.

"The cold season coincides with the mating season," Kanchit said. "Young bull elephants are cast out from their herd and many of them become more aggressive."

Problems arise when tourists don't follow park protocols and either stop their cars to take photos or honk their horns at the elephants, causing them to become aggressive, Kanchit said.

"There are instances where aggravated elephants have killed tourists," said Edwin Wiek, head of the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand.

The main problem in most elephant-related incidents in the country's national parks is a lack of education and enforcement, Wiek said.

Tourists passing through national parks are rarely given a proper briefing on how to deal with wild animals.

Low funding also means that national parks find it difficult to enforce laws that are meant to keep both animals and visitors safe.

"There is just no budget to maintain speed limits and people have little respect for the laws," said Wiek.

Four months before the latest incidents at Khao Yai, an elephant was killed in Pala-u National Park by a speeding motorist. The incident has prompted a national debate on how to protect the country's elephants.

It is a sensitive subject for Thailand, where the elephant is the most revered of animals, and has occupied a place at the centre of society for centuries.

The monarchy treasured the national animal as a status symbol and kept meticulous records of the number each monarch possessed.

Elephants have also been used for menial labour, in ceremonies and war. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has pressed his cabinet to do more to safeguard the species.

But for activists like Wiek, the solution to the problem is clear.

"It would be easier to stop people taking short-cuts through the national parks," Wiek said. "It is only 25-30 kilometres more to go around Khao Yai and we would better protect the wildlife."

NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — Thai police say they are treating the 95 Rohingya refugees who were intercepted in southern Thailand this week as victims of human trafficking, not suspects of illegal immigration.

"All of the Rohingya have a status as victims of human trafficking rings – not suspects on charges of illegal entry," said Pol.Col. Chian Chunoo, an officer at Hua Sai Police Station. 

Nearly 100 Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority from western Myanmar, were found crammed into the back of several trucks in Hua Sai district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province on 11 January. Two Thai drivers were arrested and charged with human trafficking, while three others reportedly fled the scene before the police could detain them. 

Yesterday, a third suspect was arrested in connection with the operation. Sunand Saengthong, 53, is currently being held at a prison in the province, Pol.Col. Chian said. 

"We have to place him in prison for now because it's a serious offense," Pol.Col. Chian said. 

If found guilty, the suspects could face up to 15 years in prison. 

Thailand is a major transit hub for the thousands of Rohingya who flee persecution and repression in Burma every year. However, many of the refugees fail to make it to their final destination, often Muslim-friendly countries like Malaysia, and become victims of trafficking and other forms of exploitation instead. 

In previous cases, Thai security officers have come under fire from human rights groups for classifying intercepted Rohingya refugees as illegal immigrants and eventually deporting them back to Myanmar.

Three of the 98 Rohingya have died since they were found in Hua Sai. One woman was found crushed to death at the scene, and two men died in police custody, one from dehydration and another from an infection.

The rest of the refugees, most of whom are women and children, are currently staying at a makeshift shelter in Hua Sai district. 

Although Pol.Col. Chian did not comment on the fate of the 95 Rohingya, he said the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is coordinating an effort to provide them with food, water, and other necessities. 

However, police have pleaded for emergency food supplies from mosques in Hua Sai district as the food in the shelter is running low rapidly. Police say several fights already broke out among the refugees due to scarcity of food and clothes. 

In 2014, the United States downgraded Thailand to the lowest rank in its annual report on human trafficking, noting that Thai authorities have failed to provide adequate protection to the Rohingya, despite repeated recommendations. 

The report also alleged that some members of the Thai police and military have participated in the trafficking of the Rohingya refugees. 

By Cod Satrusayang

BANGKOK (DPA) – A charging two-ton pachyderm would frighten almost anyone, and drivers in central Thailand this week were no exception.

But panicking is the worst thing you can do, according to Kanchit Srinapwan, head of Thailand's Khao Yai National Park, home to at least 300 wild elephants.

"The first thing you have to do is to keep calm," Kanchit said.

Over the past week images and videos from Khao Yai of unruly young male elephants assaulting vehicles in four separate incidents have gone viral on the internet.

One showed an elephant displaying amorous affection for a car.

For Kanchit and his staff, dealing with unruly elephants is an annual challenge. Each year there are reports of elephants in musth misbehaving.

"The cold season coincides with the mating season," Kanchit said. "Young bull elephants are cast out from their herd and many of them become more aggressive."

Problems arise when tourists don't follow park protocols and either stop their cars to take photos or honk their horns at the elephants, causing them to become aggressive, Kanchit said.

"There are instances where aggravated elephants have killed tourists," said Edwin Wiek, head of the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand.

The main problem in most elephant-related incidents in the country's national parks is a lack of education and enforcement, Wiek said.

Tourists passing through national parks are rarely given a proper briefing on how to deal with wild animals.

Low funding also means that national parks find it difficult to enforce laws that are meant to keep both animals and visitors safe.

"There is just no budget to maintain speed limits and people have little respect for the laws," said Wiek.

Four months before the latest incidents at Khao Yai, an elephant was killed in Pala-u National Park by a speeding motorist. The incident has prompted a national debate on how to protect the country's elephants.

It is a sensitive subject for Thailand, where the elephant is the most revered of animals, and has occupied a place at the centre of society for centuries.

The monarchy treasured the national animal as a status symbol and kept meticulous records of the number each monarch possessed.

Elephants have also been used for menial labour, in ceremonies and war. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has pressed his cabinet to do more to safeguard the species.

But for activists like Wiek, the solution to the problem is clear.

"It would be easier to stop people taking short-cuts through the national parks," Wiek said. "It is only 25-30 kilometres more to go around Khao Yai and we would better protect the wildlife."