Did you feel like there was something missing from Thai politics recently?
A little groovin, a little jivin… something to get you on your feet and bopping away?
Well this will be music to your ears: Thailand’s junta leader has released a new patriotic ballad today, which he called his New Year present to the Thai people. Awwww.
Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s new song “Because You Are Thailand” includes sound lyrics like “If we join hands … the day we hope for is not far away” and “Because you are Thailand, you will not let anyone destroy you.”
It’s the second song Prayuth has written since he led a coup that seized power last year.
He first wrote the song “Return Happiness to Thailand”, which is played constantly on television and radio stations as part of a public relations campaign by the junta to win over Thais.
The tune has racked up more than one million views on YouTube but has been mocked by critics of the junta.
It includes lines such as “We will deliver our promises. Please give us a little more time” and “The country will soon be good. Let us return happiness to you, people.”
The junta, or National Council for Peace and Order, overthrew an elected government in May 2014, putting an end to months of protests in Bangkok led by the middle class and elite who wanted to get rid of the civilian government of populist Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
The junta has repeatedly delayed planned elections, claiming the country is not yet stable enough to hold a poll.
Prayuth comes from a musical family. His daughters enjoyed brief fame in Thailand as a pop duo called BADZ.
Enjoy:
Story: Reuters
Related:
Dark times: Prayuth’s ‘Return Happiness’ song tops Thai radio chart
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