Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, then deputy prime minister, beamed at reporters as he strolled into the cabinet meeting at Government House on June 6, 2023. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Key members of the coalition-member Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) have been stirred into fury by the release of two songs posted by a party member supporting party leader Prawit Wongsuwon for the prime ministerial role. Party secretary-general Thamanat Prompow wasted no time on Tuesday in giving the songs by Samart Janechaijitrawanich a resolute thumbs-down, along with a stern reprimand.
Mr. Samart unveiled the catchy tunes on Sunday—with titles that certainly grabbed attention. The first, “Uncle Tu Starts, Uncle Pom Follows Up,” and the second, “From the Heart of Uncle Pom to All Thais,” both sing praises to the political giants. As an extra note for clarity, “Tu” is the beloved nickname of former prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, and “Pom” refers to Gen Prawit.
The lyrics of “Uncle Tu Starts, Uncle Pom Follows Up” croon about the continuation of unfinished business: “What Uncle Tu has left unfinished, Uncle Pom is ready to carry on.” Meanwhile, “From the Heart of Uncle Pom to All Thais” brings to mind an enduring hopeful spirit: “Come rain or come shine. He still stands by our side to make our dreams come true.”
Despite Mr. Samart’s rallying call to Gen Prawit’s supporters to back the tunes, his pleas seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. As of Tuesday, a mere 14 shares and scant comments demonstrated the lukewarm reception from the public.
PPRP member for Kamphaeng Phet, Phai Lik, was quick on the draw, explaining on Sunday that the songs were not party-sanctioned but rather the actions of a lone, non-executive board member.
Interestingly, these songs came in the wake of a viral hit dedicated to Gen Prayut, “Missing Uncle Tu.” This former prime minister has since moved on to become a member of the Privy Council as of November 2023. Some within the PPRP murmured that Mr. Samart was merely trying to ride the coattails of the popular tune, while subtly criticizing the current administration’s lack of initiative.
Mr. Phai was quick to remind everyone of PPRP’s accomplishments during the Prayut administration, notably the introduction of policies like the state social welfare card system for the underprivileged and the provision of land title deeds to impoverished farmers.
Yet now, Mr. Samart finds himself in hot water, with party members incensed by what they perceive as a slight against the existing coalition government, despite PPRP being an integral part of it. On Tuesday, Capt Thamanat, who also serves as minister of agriculture and cooperatives, laid down a stern warning. He urged Mr. Samart to cease his contentious actions or face potential expulsion from the party.
Mr. Samart has long been viewed as a close confidante to the party leader and an advocate for Gen Prawit’s prime ministerial aspirations. Secretary-general Thamanat affirmed that his relationship with Gen Prawit remains unwavering, along with the unity of the party’s executive members.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is grappling with his own political pressures. A group of senators is pushing for his resignation following the controversial appointment of Pichit Chuenban to the cabinet in the latest reshuffle, despite Mr. Pichit’s past electoral fraud conviction. Amidst public outcry, Mr. Pichit has since stepped down.
I think it’s hilarious that they think songs are going to solve their political issues. This is just another example of how out of touch they are with the general public.
Right? They need to focus on real issues like the economy and corruption instead of karaoke nights.
But isn’t it refreshing to see some creativity in politics for a change? Sometimes you need a lighter touch to connect with people.
I think it’s insulting to the intelligence of Thai people. They aren’t stupid; they see right through these gimmicks.
The songs show respect and admiration for our leaders. What’s wrong with expressing gratitude?
Remember when politics was about real leadership and not just who sings the best? Gen Prawit should focus on policy, not pop tunes.
And you think new leadership is any better? At least Prawit has experience.
Experience is nothing if it leads to stagnation. We need fresh ideas, not the same old nonsense.
Exactly, Singh. This is just a distraction from their failures.
The backlash from the party is amusing. They can’t even agree on a song, let alone lead a country.
A united front is important in politics. Disagreements like this make them look weak.
Yeah, but at least they’re being transparent about their disagreements. Better than pretending everything’s perfect.
I don’t get why people are so against these songs. It feels like there’s a deeper issue here than just music.
The songs are symbolic of deeper loyalties and conflicts. It’s not just about the music, it’s about allegiances.
If anything, this just shows how fractured the PPRP is. They need to sort out their internal issues before they can hope to lead effectively.
Politics and pop culture should mix more often. It makes politicians seem more human.
Mixing politics and pop culture can trivialize important issues. We need serious leaders.
I see your point, but sometimes light-hearted approaches can make serious topics more approachable.
Sounds like Mr. Samart is just trying to make a name for himself by stirring up drama. Typical politician move.
Focusing on these petty squabbles distracts from the real problems facing Thailand. We need robust leadership, not petty infighting.
I’ve listened to the songs, and honestly, they aren’t that bad. Maybe people are just overreacting.
They’re not about the quality, it’s the principle. The party needs to be unified.
How about they focus on climate change or education reform? Songs aren’t going to fix those issues.
Funny how a party that’s supposed to be united can’t even agree on something as trivial as a song.
It’s not trivial. It’s a display of where loyalties lie within the party.
Generational gap maybe? Older politicians might appreciate these songs more than the younger ones.
Could be, but either way, it shows they need to communicate better among themselves.
Ah, politics. A circus with a constant need for new acts. This time it’s songs.
Honestly, songs backing a politician is weird. Can’t they have more professional campaigns?
Remember when PPRP was supposed to be about strong leadership and policy? Seems like they’re just about theatrics now.
Can we talk about how the public ignored these songs? Maybe the party should take the hint.
Political songs aren’t new, but they need to be part of a broader, more serious strategy. This feels like a mess.