CityNews – Two lovely ladies in uniform have joined the junta’s campaign to ‘return happiness to the people’.
Corporal Noodle is an accomplished flautist.
The glamorous female soldiers, based in Chiang Mai and Lampang, have apparently impressed residents with their good looks and soft words. They can sing and play instruments, as well as being expert marksmen, reporters were told.
Corporal Soranan Phikulhom, 22, is originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat. She was posted to Lampang, where she now plays in a military band and works for the 32nd Military Circle’s public relations unit. Her nickname is Kuaytiao (Noodle).
Sergeant Kritchaya Jinajaihan, 33, also works in public relations from her base in Chiang Mai’s Changpuek sub-district. She is originally from Lampang, and her nickname is Ae.
Sergeant Kritchaya said local people treat her with love and kindness, which makes her proud. At first many wondered if she was really a soldier, she said, as they thought soldiers must look strong and tough. She is happy when local residents are happy and harmonious, she added.
Sergeant Kritchaya wants local residents to be happy and harmonious.
The much-mocked campaign to ‘return happiness to the people’ was launched by junta chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha following the May 22 coup, in which the army seized power from an elected government.
It is “designed to hide some ugly realities of the coup,” Associate Professor Pavin Chachavalpongpun of Kyoto University’s Centre for Southeast Asian Studies told CityNews.
“In many ways, it is a part of populism a la Prayuth, depending much on the need to seek legitimacy for the coup by making people happy from material gains. At the end, there is no reform nor respect for human rights. In this view, one can be happy – but under the terms of the junta.“
Dr Pavin, an outspoken campaigner for democracy, was stripped of his Thai passport following the coup and is currently seeking asylum in Japan. He is not happy about this.