Military units to be opened for sale of cheap goods and ‘freebies’

– Thailand news selected by Gazette editors for Phuket’s international community

PHUKET: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said yesterday he would open all military units in Bangkok and encourage business operators to hand out “freebies” to the public in the New Year.

Business operators and any interested people would be asked to sell cheap consumer goods or second-hand products like at garage sales, he said.

“The freebie items will be stamped ‘not for sale’ to prevent them from being resold,” Gen Prayut said.

He said the move was about helping and sharing for the public, which was in line with the HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Sufficiency Economy philosophy.

He was speaking at an event to present awards to industrialists.

Hitting back

Meanwhile, the PM hit back at reporters asking him if he wasn’t too dictatorial.

“What dictatorship? Dictatorship is about seizing power and business interests and leaders amassing assets for self-interest.

“Have I done that? I have not gained a dime but I must face these questions and feel frustrated,” he said.

Asked what he thought of former prime minister Anand Panyarachun’s recent remark voicing concern about corruption, Gen Prayut said that Anand was a respected senior figure who was making a proposal.

“If there is corruption, pinpoint where it is and pinpoint exactly who is corrupt, [so we] find out,” he said.

Asked if the May 22 takeover would be the country’s last coup, Gen Prayut said do not pay attention to coups.

“Think how to prevent the country from falling into anarchy. If there is no problem, there is no reason for us to intervene to solve the problem,” he said.

— Phuket Gazette Editors