An unequal sequel
The leader of the Thai junta tortures the rules to remain in power
A jerry-rigged parliament affirms Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister
No one can deny his tenacity. More than five years after seizing control of Thailand in a coup and declaring himself prime minister, nearly three years after pushing through a constitution designed to prolong his rule and more than two months after an election his supporters almost managed to lose despite all kinds of unfair advantages, Prayuth Chan-ocha was at last affirmed as prime minister by parliament on June 5th.
As it happens, Mr Prayuth, without any sense of irony, recently urged his fellow Thais to read “Animal Farm”. The process that led to his affirmation as prime minister was redolent of the coup-leading pigs of the novel, who declare: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” Take the parliament that selected him at a joint sitting of its two chambers. All 250 members of the upper house were appointed by Mr Prayuth’s government. Roughly a third of them have links with the armed forces or the police. The body contains such impartial figures as Mr Prayuth’s younger brother.
A jerry-rigged parliament affirms Prayuth Chan-ocha as prime minister
No one can deny his tenacity. More than five years after seizing control of Thailand in a coup and declaring himself prime minister, nearly three years after pushing through a constitution designed to prolong his rule and more than two months after an election his supporters almost managed to lose despite all kinds of unfair advantages, Prayuth Chan-ocha was at last affirmed as prime minister by parliament on June 5th.
As it happens, Mr Prayuth, without any sense of irony, recently urged his fellow Thais to read “Animal Farm”. The process that led to his affirmation as prime minister was redolent of the coup-leading pigs of the novel, who declare: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” Take the parliament that selected him at a joint sitting of its two chambers. All 250 members of the upper house were appointed by Mr Prayuth’s government. Roughly a third of them have links with the armed forces or the police. The body contains such impartial figures as Mr Prayuth’s younger brother.
