Interestingly, all of the songs are sung by Sgt-Major Pongsathorn Phorchit, who works for the Royal Thai Army’s Band Department.

In an interview with the Nation News Agency, Pongsathorn said he did his best to convey the prime minister’s messages in his songs for the Thai public.

The Army singer said he was happy to sing the four songs and grateful to his boss, department director Maj-General Krissada Salika, for trusting him to do the job.

But he did not feel any pressure thanks to his years of experience singing for the Army’s Band Department.

“Every time I sing the songs, I tell myself to do it the best I can. And when I can do it the way I like, I feel good,” he said. “It feels like I represent the prime minister and sing his songs to the people.”

He said many people now knew him and asked to have their photo taken with him.

General Prayut’s four songs were released at different times during the two and a half years Prayut and his team have been in power.

The first song “Kuen Kwam Suk Hai Prathet Thai” (“Returning Happiness to Thailand”) was released shortly after the coup to explain why the power seizure had to happen. At that time – June 2014 – Prayut had yet to become prime minister.

A lyric in the song remembered by many is this one: “We will keep our promise. It will not be too long before the beautiful land is returned. We will do it honestly. Please have trust and faith in us. Our land will be better soon. Let us return happiness to you, the people.”

Pongsathorn revealed that shortly before the first song was released, he sang it in General Prayut’s presence with live music. “He was having a lunch break following a meeting,” the singer said.

When asked about Prayut’s reaction, the singer replied: “He said: ‘Good. You sang beautifully. It’s OK already’. I was very proud that I did my best.”

Pongsathorn was handpicked by the chief of the Army’s Band Department to sing the first song. “It could be because he trusted me. I may not be the best singer available but I was the best choice at the time,” Pongsathorn said.

When asked why he was chosen to sing all the songs, he said: “It could be because of the prime minister’s trust. He viewed that I did a good job [for the first song] so I should continue doing it.”

Pongsathorn conceded that there were people who did not want to hear Prayut’s songs or cooperate with his post-coup government. But the songs, he said, were intended for “people who stand in the middle and want to join in national development efforts”.

He did not think the songs would cause people who dislike the prime minister or the military to change their minds. But he was convinced they were a minority.

The PM’s second song, “Proh Ther Kue Prathet Thai” (“It Is Because You Are Thailand”), was released in December 2015, after he became prime minister. The lyrics call for cooperation from the public for efforts to revive the country.

His third song, “Kwam Wang Kwan Sattha” (‘Hope and Faith’), was released in late October last year, less than two weeks after the passing of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It was one of the many songs written in honour of the late King at that time.

Prayut’s fourth and latest song is “Saphan” (“Bridge”), which was released during the New Year holiday. The PM explained that his Cabinet was serving as a bridge for the people to cross a river of obstacles.

Interestingly, the best-remembered lyric from his first song is included in the fourth song – “We will keep our promise. It will not be too long before the beautiful land is returned.”

But in his latest number, the premier also wrote: “For the land that I love, I will never give up. Both my hands will not let you go, so don’t be afraid. I will stand up every time I fall down. I was born for you, my cherished land. I will pay you back until my last breath.”

Political observers attempted to find out if there was a hidden message in the lyrics about how long Prayut will be in power.

Some pointed out that in his first song, Prayut asked for a “not too long” time to complete his mission, but in his latest song he talked about “until my last breath”.