‘Whatever we do is seen by people as stupid.” It will be ironic, if this statement, uttered in desperation and resentment probably in equal parts, goes down in history as the famous last words of former coup maker and prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha. The lament is such a contrast to the dignified: “I have had enough” that the late statesman and former PM Prem Tinsulanonda used to reject an invitation by leaders of parties winning the 1988 election to serve as the outsider premier for another term. It will be ironic because the so-called Prem model of democracy — a regime that is deeply co…

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