Meanwhile, Prayut expressed sympathy for the government-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT), or Channel 11, over its declining ratings.

He described Channel 11’s programmes as “too academic”, which previously resulted in him ordering the station to overhaul its programming.

NBT’s ratings are as low as Royal Thai Army Radio and Television’s Channel 5, Prayut said. “Their [NBT] ratings cannot compete with those of business-based channels,” he said. Another reason for NBT’s low ratings is its failure to create attractive, long-lasting series because of a lack of subsidies, the premier said.

On Tuesday, Prayut expressed disappointment over people’s viewing habits, saying most were more interested in night-time soap operas than government programmes that look at matters of national interest.

Prayut conducts a weekly show “Returning Happiness to the People”, in which he talks for about an hour on national administration issues and tries to persuade people to cooperate with the government.