Global Courant 2023-05-06 07:35:00
BANGKOK – Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is often described by reporters as caustic and hot-tempered. Political rivals are less polite.
But with an election approaching, one that doesn’t seem to be going the way he hoped, the general-turned-politician tries to soften his image.
In a seven-minute “Talk with Uncle” video uploaded to his party’s Facebook page, Mr Prayut skips over policy issues and discusses something he rarely does: his personal life.
He talks wistfully about his childhood and family, mentions his favorite English football club and reveals his fondness for Korean dramas, especially those starring soldiers.
Much of what he says in the video is largely unknown, even to many of his supporters.
Mr Prayut has been a relatively aloof prime minister who keeps his private life private. He campaigns on policies, the weaknesses and mistakes of his rivals, and his confidence.
In the video, he says that on the day he was born – in a military camp in Nakhon Ratchasima – his father was on a military exercise.
His father named him “Pralongyut”, meaning “test of combat readiness”, but this was shortened to “Prayut” – meaning “battle” – at the suggestion of a monk who revered his father.
“From that day on, I’ve been involved in fights all my life,” says Prayut.
Mr Prayut, the number 1 prime ministerial candidate of the United Thai Nation, revealed that he ran away from home during his teenage years after being punished by his father. He cycled away from home and after a while wondered: “Where should I go?”
“I couldn’t find an answer, so I decided to go home. My father was waiting for me. He asked where I was and I told him I was just cycling,” said Prayut.
He knew his father felt his displeasure at being punished, but gave no indication that they ever discussed this.
In the video, Mr. Prayut dresses casually, wearing a white shirt with yellow leaf prints, black trousers and leather loafers.
The prime minister also explained why he took part in April’s Songkran festival on Bangkok’s Khaosan Road, a popular venue for Songkran water fights.
