SOME ACADEMICS, politicians and commentators are calling the junta government’s new Thai Niyom Yangyeun (Sustainable “Thainess”) programme little more than a populist campaign and express doubts over its ability to improve the quality of life for all citizens. Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday gave the programme’s policy and frameworks to the executive officers of local authorities nationwide, preparing them to implement the agenda in local areas under their responsibility. “Most of the frameworks in this programme are routine duties of the local authorities already and this programme just duplicates these duties,” Payab said. He denied that this programme was either just a populist campaign or the military-backed government’s strategy to stay in power. “We are working to improve the livelihood of all citizens and this is not an effort to stay in power.

Source: The Nation Bangkok February 09, 2018 18:00 UTC