People took less notice of the new caretaker prime minister’s commitment to public welfare yesterday than that of his own staff.
Eyes were rolling at the sight of Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan, the acting prime minister since junta bro Prayuth Chan-ocha was suspended, riding in a golf cart while his security detail slogged sweatily along to keep up.
After a photo op on lowering utility costs at a water station in Chachoengsao province, the 77-year-old retired general, who is said to have a bad heart, boarded one of about six carts for the return journey, but there wasn’t space for his full retinue.
Footage filmed from the golf cart ahead of Prawit’s shows the staffers setting out at a leisurely stroll. Before long, the cart gains speed and the men appear to have difficulty keeping up.
The guards reportedly had to run about 1.5 kilometers – wearing slacks and jackets. One falls behind and has to struggle to catch up with his boss, known colloquially in Thai-language media as “Big Pom.”
It was a markedly different tone than that set by Prayuth, who sought to project masculine vitality by throwing punches at Muay Thai fighters, swinging swords, and leaping atop motorcycles in his public appearances.
Prawit, a famously irascible figure who served as Prayuth’s No. 2 ever since they banded together to seize power eight years ago, is now one week into the top political job.
Gen. Prayuth may yet return to his post: The Constitutional Court said it could take up to a month to determine whether the eight-year term limit laid out in the constitution applies to him – or not.
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