THAILAND'S REPORT CARD, SIX MONTHS POST-COUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 001658

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KDEM TH
SUBJECT: THAILAND'S REPORT CARD, SIX MONTHS POST-COUP


Classified By: Political Counselor Susan M. Sutton, reason 1.4 (b) and
(d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a TV broadcast on March 20, RTG agencies
and the coup council gave their assessments of their progress
since the September 19 coup d'etat. Representatives of the
Council for National Security and several government agencies
assured the public that they supported democracy, the fight
against corruption, and the rule of law. This effort to
improve their outreach to the public is long overdue.
However, the public relations effort is unlikely to slow the
decline in their popularity, as the government has,
unfortunately, few solid accomplishments to show. End
summary.


2. (C) Since seizing power, the Council for National
Security (CNS) and the government have been particularly
inept at public relations. In recent weeks, they appear to
have taken to heart some of the criticism of their public
outreach, and have tried to improve their image. On March
20, the country's leadership and key government agencies
appeared on TV in a two-hour broadcast to give themselves a
"report card" on their accomplishments six months after the
coup that toppled former Prime Minister Thaksin.

MEET THE PRESS
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3. (SBU) During a March 20 broadcast, The CNS, the National
Legislative Assembly, and seven representatives of government
agencies gave briefings on their work since the September 19
coup. Council for National Security (CNS) Chairman General
Sonthi Boonyaratglin reported to the public that Thailand had
fallen into a state of dictatorial capitalism in the Thaksin
era. The CNS had in effect restored democracy 12 days after
the coup, by virtue of its promulgation of the interim
constitution, appointment of Prime Minister Surayud
Chulanont, and establishment of independent bodies to provide
checks and balances. Sonthi said he was determined to follow
the rule of law in pursuing corruption cases against Thaksin.
He also asserted the CNS -- which exercised enormous
influence in forming the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA)
-- was not directing the work of the CDA's Constitution
Drafting Committee, although Sonthi explained that the CNS
"monitors closely" the various independent government
organizations.


4. (SBU) Other agencies similarly pledged to work toward
cleaning up corruption and ensuring a return to elected
government. A member of the Constitution Drafting Committee
assured the public that the new constitution would be ready
on time and approved in the referendum. Acting Police
Commissioner Seripisut Temiyavej said police officials were
investigating six possible lese majeste cases against deposed
Prime Minister Thaksin. The Election Commission discussed
their role in the transition back to democratic governance;
the agencies with a role on corruption investigations (the
Attorney General, the National Counter-corruption Commission
and the Assets Examination Commission) also gave reports.

COMMENT
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5. (C) The government/CNS have earned the criticism they've
gotten for their weak public relations strategy. Today's
marathon "report card" briefing is unlikely to do much to
slow the decline in public support for the lackluster
leadership. Former PM Thaksin enjoyed the limelight,
projecting a self-assured confidence that went over well on
TV. None of the current leadership has commensurate skills.
Their PR efforts are further hampered by having relatively
few accomplishments to report.
BOYCE