A bridge named for the current prime minister, who came to power by seizing it in a 2014 coup, has been surging across Twitter since last night, despite being imaginary.
It was an unusual proposal by an MP of the pro-establishment Palang Pracharath Party to build and name a bridge to “honor” Gen. Prayuth Chan-o-cha in his hometown of Nakhon Si Thammarat that propelled #ChanochaBridge atop the hashtags.
The proposal by Sayun Yuttitham came after holiday complaints that tourists had a hard time reaching popular island hotspot Koh Samui due to heavy crowds and limited piers.
“It’s time for the Thai government to build bridge from Nakhon Si Thammasat’s Khanom district to Koh Samui,” Sayun said during Thursday’s session of the House of Representatives.
Sayun cited precedent for naming the bridge after the current, divisive political leader, noting that two southern bridges bear the names of former prime ministers: Sarasin Bridge (Phuket to Phang-nga, named after Pote Sarasin) and Tinsulanonda Bridge (in Songkhla, named for Prem Tinsulonanda).
While the Sarasin Bridge was built a decade after Pote served as prime minister, Prem’s bridge came while he still held the office.
Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said today that Prayuth did not order construction of the bridge and he want his surname to be used for any place, public or private.
As Twitter is so very horny for the opposition, Sayun’s suggestion did not go down well there. Some said Prayuth doesn’t deserve such an honor and complained that the bridge would be a waste of the people’s money.
“Thai government gonna waste billions in building a bridge to flatter the current idiotic Thai Prime Minister and name the bridge after his surname “Chan-Ocha.” Please help us,” @Whatdafrankk wrote.
“I never ever respect you. I don’t think you have honor,” @I_napatt tweeted. “You just the person who never do something good for our country. You just waste the country’s money on useless things. Keep your stupid brain and #ChanochaBridge away!!! We don’t need it!”
“Wake me up when this government ends,” @WithluvJB wrote.
