Prayut Chan-o-cha

Prayut Chan-o-cha (sometimes spelled Prayuth Chan-ocha; Thai: ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา) (born 21 March 1954) is a Thai politician and a retired Royal Thai Army general officer, serving as Prime Minister of Thailand since 2014 and Minister of Defence since 2019. Prayut served as chief of the Thai army from 2010 to 2014 and was the leader of a coup d'etat which installed the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the military junta which governed Thailand between 22 May 2014 and 10 July 2019.

Quotes

 * I’ll smack you with the podium.
 * "Thai junta leader throws banana peel at cameraman’s head" (23 September 2014)


 * They think our country is beautiful and safe and they can do whatever they want, wear bikinis wherever they like. I'm asking, if they wear bikinis in Thailand, will they be safe? Only if they are not beautiful.
 * Prayuth Says Women In Skimpy Dress Are Like Unwrapped Candy (September 2014)


 * During Songkran, I ask that women wear proper clothes, Thai style, so they would look good and civilized, don’t dress too revealingly, or you will be shunned like a piece of toffee without its wrapper.
 * Prayuth Says Women In Skimpy Dress Are Like Unwrapped Candy (April 2016)


 * If seafood is expensive then don't eat it. Leave it to the wealthy. I cannot ensure equality in this manner. If you want to eat expensive items then you must work hard and find a lot of money....We cannot pull everyone to the same level.
 * "National Broadcast by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister" (3 July 2015)


 * This law will be strictly enforced to prevent the type of nuisance and violence that happened in the past...It's not possible to have it all—happiness, equality, democracy—without giving us the tools.
 * "Law curbing public assembly takes effect in Thailand" (13 August 2015)


 * It is up to the middle class to swarm to the polls and defeat the poor who are just after government handouts....If they [political parties] use the same old campaign strategy, they will come [to power] with the votes of the poor who want more money to make their life better. The people in the middle- and upper income ranges have to...cast their votes in national polls and the charter referendum too.
 * "PM urges middle class to save day; Warns against populist appeals to the poor" (24 December 2015)


 * If they want to engage in activism or whatever, it’s up to them. If they aren’t afraid of the laws, it’s up to them, and if someone finds a gun and shoot them, or throws grenades at them, well, they have to live with that. If they aren’t afraid, it’s up to them.
 * "Prayuth Can't Guarantee Safety of Academics Who Criticize Him" (25 November 2015)


 * They have no right to suggest that to anyone...Why do the media give a platform to these people?...These people, now that they are being harsh to me, I will have to be harsh in return,...There's no need for a prohibition now. But when the time comes, I will deal with them...Today I have to teach people to think. Today we are still stuck in the trap of democracy, a trap of conflicts. We still let emotions dictate our judgment. We have to fix these issues.
 * "Prayuth Fumes at Politicians Critical of Charter" (26 August 2016)


 * If this person says, this side good, that side not good, if media keeps presenting news like that, when will our country have peace?
 * Media Must Do More Than Report Facts, Says Prayuth (5 March 2015)


 * Please don't escalate this news, the media should consider the impact the news will have on the country. It may cause problems, and affect national security...If this news gets widely published, [it could raise] problems of human trafficking and IUU (Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing).
 * Thai Junta Warns Media Against Reporting on Human Trafficking. (25 March 2015)


 * We'll probably just execute them. You don't have to support the government, but you should report the truth.
 * On how the government would deal with journalists who did not adhere to the government's laws (25 March 2015)


 * Don't try to fool me and act like you can do or say anything 'because we are a democracy...Do you misunderstand something? Today, I am the one makes the rules. Previous governments couldn't do that. But today, I made the rules [sic], and all of you have to follow them.
 * Anti-Junta Protest in Khon Kaen, Despite Prayuth's Warnings (8 June 2015)


 * ...many groups try...to compare our monarchy with other nations. This cannot be done, because our [monarchy] has a long, ancient history. They [Thai monarchs] are like deities. Our King is not involved with anyone. He is above all disputes. When someone violates him, we need to use Section 112 of the Criminal Codes, which is like a libel law, because whenever someone insults us, we can sue them, but if it's the monarchy, [the royal family] cannot sue them. This is because His Majesty is not involved with anyone, and he is under the constitution, and under every law that the government has created to protect him. Yet, people see it as human rights issue. Let me ask you: if someone insults your father, would you give in? We wouldn't. But if it happens to our parents, they can sue. But since His Majesty the King is not involved, he cannot sue, and who would take care of him? Thai people have to. Whoever doesn't understand this is not a Thai. They are awful. This is a sensitive matter. I would like to ask the audience to explain that the monarchy of Thailand is not like the monarchy in any other country.
 * Junta Chairman Lectures Youth on Thai-style Monarchy & Democracy (8 July 2015)


 * The very nature of 'Thainess'. Whoever causes chaos to Thailand or disrupts peace and order, they should not be recognised as Thais, because Thais do not destroy each other,...The charm of the Thai people is that they look lovely even when they do nothing, because they have smiles.
 * Discover Thainess 2015 festival


 * Why don't people respect the laws instead of asking for democracy and human rights all the time?...No one is allowed to oppose [the NCPO]. I dare you to try to oppose the NCPO...I don't care what the international community would think about this. I will send officials to explain to foreign embassies. I am not afraid of them. I will tell them to understand that this is Thailand and we are enforcing Thai laws.
 * "On Army Abduction of Student Activist" (22 January 2016)


 * Everybody's saying that we should create equality, women and men should have the same rights, should be able to do the same good and bad things—if that's the case, if that's how you think, Thai society will deteriorate! Women are the gender of motherhood, the gender of giving birth. When you return home...who is it? Who has a wife? Isn't the wife looking after the home? At home she's the big boss, isn't she? Outside I'm the boss—at work, everywhere I have lots of authority. When I return home, I have to be quiet because she's looking after the home, the kids, everything in the house. I haven't done anything at home since we married, she's doing everything.
 * "Tongue-Thai'ed – A woman's (supposed) worth in a military man's world" (1 February 2016)


 * They [critics] have no rights to say that they disagree [with the draft constitution]...I don't allow anyone to debate or hold a press conference about the draft constitution. Yet they still disobey my orders. They will be arrested and jailed for 10 years. No one will be exempted when the Referendum Act becomes effective [after publication in the Royal Gazette]. Not even the media. Why don’t people respect the law instead of asking for democracy and human rights all the time?
 * "Thai junta makes it clear it is not interested in democracy" (19 April 2016)


 * If things remain unsettled, I will draft it [the constitution] myself,...There is nothing in this world I can’t do. As a soldier, I've been through a lot, risking my life so many times. When I was in the infantry...I underwent parachute training. I had to jump and land by myself. Once I deployed the parachute, I knew that I can do anything.
 * "If referendum fails, I will draft constitution myself: Thai junta head" (11 July 2016)


 * Before I became the head of the government, when I was Commander in Chief of the Army, I strove to gain knowledge away from military affairs. The armed forces are also important for country development, not only for country defense.
 * "Exclusive: Thailand PM Prayuth Chan-ocha on Turning to China Over the U.S." in TIME (21 June 2018)


 * Concerning conflicts over the constitution, people do not really pay serious attention to organic laws. I suppose you would not find these kind of problems in developed countries. But in this case, our country is still in the transition, we need to be patient and raise more awareness, understanding and cooperation. You know there can always be obstacles during transitions.
 * "Exclusive: Thailand PM Prayuth Chan-ocha on Turning to China Over the U.S." in TIME (21 June 2018)


 * Starting from the constitution, what’s suitable for Thailand is to establish effective public engagement and cooperation with the people, through appropriate process. In addition to freedom and human-rights, it has to be under the law, and not violate the law and other people’s rights. Even though it is considered s democratic right to have freedom, that freedom should not be abused to violate other people’s rights. There is a line between human rights and violation of laws, this is very important. We cannot only care for the majority and then neglect the minority like Thai democracy before.
 * "Exclusive: Thailand PM Prayuth Chan-ocha on Turning to China Over the U.S." in TIME (21 June 2018)


 * The government has worked to maintain peace, order and stability throughout the country, and to bring an organised effort to the national administration, following the steps outlined in the country’s roadmap.
 * "Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha: Interview" in ''Oxford Business Group


 * Apart from focusing on the country’s economic development in regards to the targeted industries and technologies in each sector, the government is also considering the possibility of creating an area-based development policy to increase prosperity throughout Thailand, and to connect Thailand strategically to different regions in Asia.
 * "Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha: Interview" in ''Oxford Business Group


 * I am begging you, politicians. You represent the people, and you are supposed to show sound judgement. Politics should not be used to create hatred because the country is in trouble now. Don't take this opportunity to cause any further trouble.
 * "Prayut vows not to resign" in Bangkok Post (31 July 2021)


 * Tourists think that Thailand is beautiful, safe and that they can do anything they want here. That they can put on their bikinis and go anywhere they want. I ask, can you get away with wearing bikinis in Thailand? Unless you are not beautiful.
 * "Thai PM apologises for bikini warning after Britons' murder" in The Guardian (18 September 2014)


 * In the current context, the COVID-19 pandemic has gravely affected health security and stability, as well as on food security and essential supplies. In response, governments have sometimes chosen policies that run counter to our long held values of free and open trade. The need to protect our people from COVID-19 has halted connectivity and disrupted trade and investment, which are vital to growth and prosperity. Big and small businesses are struggling to survive, people are losing their jobs and income as a growing number of people face the challenges of poverty.
 * "Speech at APEC CEO Dialogues on ASEAN’s Place in APEC’s Future" (19 November 2020)


 * As I mentioned earlier, due to unbalanced growth and development, the world is facing a growing existential threat of natural catastrophes connected with climate change on an unprecedented scale. Over the past centuries, we have carelessly enjoyed and at times, exploited planet earth’s environment without listening to the repeated warning signals sent over time. We are now inevitably left with self-inflicted consequences that we have to bear with for the next 30 years.
 * "Statement at the General Debate of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly" (25 September 2021)


 * As Thailand is a major agricultural producing country, I fully appreciate the importance of food systems in sustaining lives. The COVID-19 pandemic has clearly exposed social inequalities and vulnerabilities of food systems in each country.
 * "Statement at the UN Food Systems Summit" (24 September 2021)


 * My duty as a national leader is to look after the needs of everyone in this country, and to try and balance sometimes very different and very extreme views so that we can all live together in this one land that belongs to us all and which we all love. My duty as a national leader is also to ensure peace, personal security, the prosperity of the nation, the protection from dark forces that may seek to damage our country, and fairness to all in society. In my every action I always think of the huge silent majority throughout the country who struggle, every day, to make an honest living and to look after their family. I must lead the country based on the greater good of society, and the needs of silent people, too. I must lead the country based on principle, the law, and the will of parliament as the ultimate representative of the people. While I can listen to and acknowledge the demands of protestors, I cannot run the country based on protestor or mob demands.
 * "Excerpts of Speech" (21 October 2020)


 * For Thailand, women’s empowerment has always been a key policy agenda because we recognise that women’s rights are fundamental human rights, to which everyone must be entitled.
 * "Intervention at the ASEAN Leaders’ Special Session on Women’s Empowerment in the Digital Age" (26 June 2020)

"Returning happiness to the people" speeches

 * Sometimes I feel a bit slighted. I am not sure whether you have heard me or listened to the information that we have sent out
 * Thailand's leader will write soap operas to 'return happiness' to the people (29 September 2014)
 * I'm tired of speaking for hours, so from now on, I will reduce the duration of my 'Returning Happiness to People' speech ever [sic] Friday and will have my ministers who oversee each topic to speak in the programme.
 * PM to shorten 'Return to happiness' speeches but in the end happiness is never come true (31 March 2015)