How Prayuth’s response to Bangkok smog crisis reveals limits of his leadership

Junta chief is well-placed to remain as prime minister after March 24 election but may have to adapt to new circumstances requiring political compromise

Reading Time:4 minutes

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. Photo: AP

Published: 11:32am, 1 Feb 2019Updated: 10:00pm, 1 Feb 2019

It was classic Prayuth. As public pressure on his ruling junta mounted on Wednesday over Bangkok’s debilitating smog, the Thai junta leader resorted to a tactic he has used almost each time he faced a crisis since he seized power in 2014: the threat of draconian measures.

Among Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha’s suggestions were reportedly an immediate blanket ban on diesel vehicles, mandatory carpooling and “road-space rationing”.

Taking such action would be feasible given the widespread powers he currently wields as junta chief – and some of the proposed measures even have the support of air quality experts.

Even so, political observers say it is high time Prayuth expands his political repertoire as the chance of him remaining as prime minister of a democratic Thailand – after the March 24 general election – becomes increasingly likely.

In such a scenario, Prayuth would continue to preside over a military-dominated establishment. But for the first time, the career soldier would have to deal with the rough and tumble of political deal-making without the fail-safe of “Article 44” – the security clause under junta law which currently gives him near unfettered powers.

Analysts do not have high hopes that Prayuth can effectively lead in such an environment.

The “ill-tempered” and “paternalist” premier – known for outbursts against critics and the media – is likely to become more prone to such public displays of frustration as he governs without the special law after the polls, said long time Thai politics watcher Kevin Hewison.