Netizens posted his recommendation with comments such as “the man who has run the country undemocratically for the past five years has picked the wrong book”. Many also asked if Prayut was trying to portray himself as a bookworm, and if he had actually read the novel.

First published in 1945, “Animal Farm” is a satirical novel in which Orwell savages authoritarian rule, referencing the post-revolution Soviet Union. The novel is about farm animals that are treated badly, overworked and underfed by their human owners. The animals are led by a pig to revolt against the farmers, by overthrowing the men and taking over the farm themselves.

Pigs take over the administration of farm and assign different duties to all the animals. Yet their rule proves no better than that of humans.

Netizens, who have perhaps read the novel before Prayut recommended it, compared his coup in 2014 as the animal revolution in the book.

They said his junta rule is no better, maybe even worse, than the regime he toppled in 2014.

Well-known writer and bookworm Sarinee Achavanuntakul posted a famous quote from the novel on Facebook: “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.

“Perhaps Prayut has not read the book, or never finished it.”

In a Facebook post, ex-journalist Sutthida Malikaew, likened Prayut’s recommendation to a selfie, saying: “Don’t you [PM] realise it’s your selfie, herrr #AnimalFarm?”

Asked if he has read “Animal Farm” as recommended by Prayut, ex-PM Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters without elaborating: “I’m worried people don’t get the point.”

In a Facebook comment, journalist Sompop Lee said it was ironic that the junta suppressed the reading of Orwell’s “1984” when it took power. “Now, the junta chief is recommending a novel by the same author. I’m really confused,” he wrote.

Eight protesters were arrested when they were participating in a protest in June 2014 with copies of “1984” outside Siam Paragon to voice objections to the junta’s restrictions on freedom.

Government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said yesterday that Prayut did not want people to politicise the recommendation. “People should not interpret the recommendation as an insult to their intelligence. A book always offers wisdom,” he said.

Werachon said the message from “Animal Farm”, as suggested by the premier, is that we will never get what we desire and nobody can satisfy everybody.

“It is the natural rule – we have to take care of things surrounding us, including animals on the farm.”

PHALANG Pracharat’s efforts to build a coalition government has reached a dead end amid wrangling over ministerial portfolios, two days after formal invitations were extended to potential key partners.

The government formation had appeared promising for the pro-junta camp after the election of the house speaker on the weekend. But the deal has hit a snag after Phalang Pracharat and Democrat parties could not see eye to eye on the post of agriculture minister.

Control of the ministry assumes significance in solving issues related to agricultural product prices, which impact a great number of voters.

“All deals or ministerial posts Phalang Pracharat has offered to its allies have been withdrawn. Now it is back to square one,” said a Democrat Party source yesterday.

The influential faction in the pro-junta bloc – Sam Mitr or Three Allies – was reportedly unyielding about giving up the agriculture minister position after having already sacrificed the house speaker’s post to Democrat patriarch Chuan Leekpai.

The bloc reportedly tried to bargain with the Democrats by offering the position of education minister but to no avail.

The Democrat Party postponed its meeting set for yesterday, which would have made a final decision on the coalition.

The conflict within the pro-junta bloc was accentuated after Phalang Pracharat’s No 1 party-list MP, Nattapol Teepsuwan, reportedly told the press that the bloc could still back junta chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha to be the PM, even without support from the Democrats.

As PM, Prayut would have the power to dissolve Parliament and call an election should the formation of a coalition be impossible, said Nattapol.

Though the Democrat Party only has 53 seats in the lower house against Phalang Pracharat’s 116, its move could trigger a domino effect and shut the doors on the formation of a pro-junta coalition government.

Bhumjaithai Party, which had accepted Phalang Pracharat’s invitation on Monday, may also review its stance.

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul said yesterday the party could not work with Phalang Pracharat unless it had a simple majority to legitimately form a government.

Chartthaipattana Party, which had earlier said it would support the Phalang Pracharat-led coalition in Parliament, also appeared discontented and might change its stance over the allocation of Cabinet seats.

The party, which controls 10 MPs, reportedly has its eyes on the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry but Phalang Pracharat may allow its MP Santi Prompat, a former minister, to retain the portfolio.

Playing down the collapse in negotiations, Phalang Pracharat leader Uttama Savanayana insisted that talks were still ongoing, dismissing reports that the deals had been withdrawn.

Political scientist Stithorn Thananitichoti believed the real problem for the Democrat Party was one of political image.

The expert said he believed the imbroglio over ministerial portfolios was trivial. The Democrats were possibly more concerned about supporting General Prayut as PM, he said.

He believed the pro-junta bloc would be able to form a coalition, with the Democrats joining the government after the selection of PM.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party’s secretary-general, Phumtham Wechayachai, yesterday blamed the Constitution as the root cause of this deadlock. He urged all affected parties to unite in the public interest and to amend the charter.

Parties could still change their mind today to find a solution for the country, Phumtham said, adding people would be watching which parties were keeping their promises.

Currently, the anti-junta camp holds 246 seats from seven parties in the lower house.

Phalang Pracharat has 116 MPs of its own and another 10 from minor parties. If it can seal a deal with the Democrat, Bhumjaithai, Chartthaipattana and Chart Pattana parties, it could form a multiparty coalition.

“Today, I believe that everyone has seen how unfair the 2017 constitution is. This charter is the work of the National Council for Peace and Order in its effort to retain power,” Pheu Thai party’s secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai posted to his Facebook.

“The important point is the constitution allows appointed senators to vote for a premier,” he said.

“We now see the political style of the pro-junta camp led by Phalang Pracharat Party. They have tried to form a government, but their political deal is unsettled. Also, they have only a small chance of forming the government due to their weak negotiations.

On the other hand, they may face a problem of political stability if they can form a new government, as they do not have more than half the seats in Parliament,” Phumtham said.

However, if the pro-junta coalition failed to form government with strong majority support from the House of Representatives, they might form a minority-backed government and then dissolve Parliament for a new election, he said.

No politician from that camp would from now on pay much attention to the national interest and the people, he charged.

The powers that be will use all means to retain power and Phalang Pracharat Party would try to continue with the same old premier, Phumtham said.

“Where is the people in their power play?” Phumtham asked.

The result of the re-election in Chiang Mai’s 8th constitution last week indicated that people want to run away from Prayut’s regime, he added.

The Future Forward Party overwhelmingly won the poll, but party list calculation gave two seats to the Democrat and Phalang Pracharat parties.

Such “screwed up” rules of the game needed to be corrected, he said.

“Through a constitutional amendment and by solving the problems of people, the parties that have a purpose in opposing a [continuation of the military] junta have to join together to find the solution for the country, so it’s not too late to change your mind,” Phumtham posted.

“All deals or ministerial posts that Phalang Pracharat offered to its allies are cancelled, and it’s all back to square one,” the source said on Wednesday.

Reports say that the Sam Mitr or Three Allies faction in the pro-junta party want the Agriculture portfolio, which has already been offered to the Democrat Party. The Sam Mitr faction comprises Somsak Thepsutin, Suriya Jungrungreangkij and Somkid Jatusripitak.

A Phalang Pracharat source said the party’s top execs had called on the Democrats to swap the Agriculture portfolio with that of the Education Ministry when they sent an official invitation to the party and met the Democrats on Monday, but Democrat Party turned down the offer.

With this unfinished deal, the Democrat Party delayed its meeting on Tuesday to decide whether to join the pro-junta bloc to form the next government, amid reports that they will not return the Agriculture portfolio.

The Democrat Party, with only 53 MPs, has already secured the highest position in the legislative branch after its senior leader Chuan Leekpai was elected speaker of the lower house on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Charthaipattana, which had earlier announced it would support Phalang Pracharat to form the next government, said it has yet to make a decision. The party changed its stance because they have yet to be offered the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry, which they have been eyeing from the start, a party source said.

Reports say that Phalang Pracharat may give this post to its own MP Santi Prompat, who held the post previously, and allocate the Social Development and Human Security Ministry to Chartthaipattana.

With 116 seats in Parliament, Phalang Pracharat, which nominated junta chief General Prayut Chan-o-cha as its sole PM candidate, cannot form the next government without support from Democrat Party with its 53 seats and Bhumjaithai with its 51 seats.

The two parties had earlier joined up to create a third camp with 104 seats in order to boost their bargaining power with both the pro-junta camp led by Phalang Pracharat and anti-junta bloc led by Pheu Thai and Future Forward.

The anti-junta camp claims it has garnered 246 seats from seven parties, while the pro-junta camp may have 254 seats if all deals are done and dusted.

Surayud’s appointment as acting president is effective as of Monday, according to the royal command published in the Royal Gazette on Tuesday.

He was appointed as a privy councillor by His Majesty the King on December 9, 2016, after HM ascended the throne in the same year.

Surayud, 75, had assumed the post of privy councillor on two occasions during the reign of King Rama IX.

He had become Thailand’s 24th prime minister from October 2006 to January 2008 after the September 2006 coup. After his premiership, he was again reappointed to the Privy Council by King Rama IX.

The general was also previously the Army chief and supreme commander.

Prem was first appointed as Privy Council president in September 1998, and reappointed by HM King Maha Vajiralongkorn on December 2, 2016.

JUNTA CHIEF Prayut Chan-o-cha, the sole PM candidate of the pro-military Phalang Pracharat Party, said he would personally screen members proposed by coalition partners for the new Cabinet.

Coalition leader Phalang Pracharat is negotiating with the Democrat, Bhumjaithai, Chartthai-pattana, Chart Pattana parties as well as minor parties to form the government amid demands from many for grade-A ministry |portfolios.

“I’m waiting for the name lists from the parties and will call a meeting to discuss the matter,” Prayut said. “I have to personally look into this [portfolio allocation].”

Asked if his deputy, General Prawit Wongsuwan, would join the new Cabinet, Prayut said, “Don’t name anybody now. It’s the duty of the new premier.”

According to procedure, the selection of a person to the top government job would take place after royal endorsement of the new speakers of the House of Representatives.

Unfazed by situation

The disarray in Parliament over the past weekend during the election of House speakers made it seem that politics had not changed, Prayut said, adding that he was not disheartened by the uncertainties facing his new government.

The House meetings over the weekend had indicated that his affiliation party, Phalang Pracharat, was having a hard time controlling its potential coalition partners. But Prayut, as the party’s PM nominee, appeared determined and told the press yesterday that if he were to stay, he must force himself to overcome whatever lay ahead.

In dealing with different politicians from different parties, if he returns as the new premier, the general said he would rely on law enforcement to handle many situations, adding that national interest should be the top priority.

Current developments point to Phalang Pracharat having the upper hand in forming a coalition over Pheu Thai Party, which is the party with the most number of MPs. Phalang Pracharat, however, has been struggling to seal its deal with partners, especially the Democrat Party.

Democrat, with only 53 MPs, has already secured the highest position in the legislative branch after its senior leader Chuan Leekpai was elected speaker of the lower house on Saturday. Other Cabinet seats are under negotiation, with some ministries including Agriculture being hotly debated.

The Democrat Party has reportedly demanded the Agriculture portfolio, but it is also coveted by influential figures in Phalang Pracharat, making it difficult for the two parties to cut a coalition deal.

Democrat spokesperson Rames Rattanachaweng stressed yesterday that the party had yet to agree to join the Phalang Pracharat-led coalition.

Initially, the Democrats had proposed some major principles for the pro-junta party to consider, including the amendment of the charter and policy direction, such as solving the issue of agricultural product prices, he explained.

As negotiations on Cabinet positions were still in progress, Prayut said yesterday the parties would have to discuss the matter further, adding it was up to the next premier to find a solution.

Prayut yesterday distanced himself from a Democrat Party proposal to amend the Constitution, saying it was a matter for the next government to decide. He said since the situation has changed, it was possible to amend the legislation.

In a related development, the Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights have called on the junta to stop harassing political rivals.

The group cited the legal actions against Future Forward leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, who was recently suspended from the lower house for the timing of his holding shares in a media company, as an example. The group said the case was possibly politically motivated. In response, Prayut said yesterday that he had no enemies and that if everyone respected the law, they would not be in trouble.

He urged politicians to desist from involving the international community in the internal affairs of the country or to use them as a shield for their personal protection.

Thanathorn had been accused of posting false information online after slamming the ruling junta via a Facebook Live feed last year.

The prosecutor will now make a decision on June 28. The authority was previously meant to make the decision on Tuesday, but deferred the action due to uncompleted legal procedures, Thanathorn’s lawyer Kritsadang Nutcharas said.

The prosecutor said the investigation report had yet to be filed because interviews with related individuals have yet to be completed, the lawyer said.

General Phitsanu Putthawong, who oversees the Statesman General Prem Tinsulanonda Foundation, said Prem intended to give away the salaries he had been paid as prime minister, privy councillor and other posts.

Phitsanu said he had earlier discussed Prem’s intention with Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam and was thinking of organising sustainable projects that can help the poor.

Wissanu said that not long before his passing, Prem had his close aide inform him that the former Privy Council president wished to donate some of his assets for public interest.

However, no concrete decision has been made yet, Wissanu said.

The Deputy PM added that Prem’s passing was a loss for the country and the region, as he had done a lot of good work, especially in the security sector.

Prem, one of Thailand’s most influential political figures for over four decades and who served as Army commander, prime minister and adviser to the Palace, died at age 98 on Sunday.

Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also defence minister, admitted that Prem’s passing was a huge loss for the country and would affect the morale of the troops, as the late general was venerated by Army officers and soldiers.

“It will be difficult to find a good person like Prem. His integrity and loyalty to the nation, religion and monarchy was an example for Thais,” Prawit said.

Meanwhile, His Majesty the King has ordered a 21-day mourning period in honour of the late statesman, who served as the Privy Council president until his death on Sunday.

Mourning officially began yesterday and will continue until June 17, with the exception of June 3, which is the birthday of Her Majesty Queen Suthida, the Royal Household Bureau announced yesterday.

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the royally sponsored bathing rites for Prem at Benchamapobhit Temple yesterday evening.

His body, covered by the national flag, was moved from Phramongkutklao Hospital, where Prem had been pronounced dead due to heart failure on Sunday morning.

Prayers for his royally sponsored funeral will be held every evening until June 2.

Prem’s body lies in state inside an eight-sided carved wooden coffin at the King’s order. This kind of coffin is usually only reserved for royals, regents and top Palace officials.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha, his Cabinet members and privy councillors – past and present – were among those attending the first day of Prem’s funeral yesterday. Also present were senior judges, military commanders, leading businessmen, politicians and civil servants.

Businesses are also urging their employees to wear black in honour of Prem during the mourning period.

THE DEMOCRAT and Bhumjaithai parties yesterday were formally approached by the pro-junta Phalang Pracharat Party to form a coalition government after Parliament opened on the weekend and elected the house speakers.

Sources said a deal on portfolio allocation had yet to be sealed.

The election of the house speaker over the weekend pointed to a strong possibility that the two medium-sized parties with a combined 103 seats in the lower house would be a part of the military-backed government. But the Democrat Party remained non-committal, saying more talks were needed.

Bhumjaithai, however, officially accepted the Phalang Pracharat offer, citing the coalition leader’s acceptance of its four conditions.

It is reported that Phalang Pracharat has offered six ministerial seats in total to Democrat and Bhumjaithai. Key positions such as prime minister, defence and interior ministers are reserved for junta leaders General Prayut Chan-o-cha, General Prawit Wongsuwan and General Anupong Paochinda respectively.

The move for government formation comes after the House of Representatives opened over the weekend and saw the election of house speaker and deputy speakers.

Once the positions are endorsed by the King, a house meeting should be called to set up the government and select the head of government.

The Democrat Party, which now has 53 MPs, yesterday welcomed Phalang Pracharat at its headquarters but appeared undecided.

Democrat secretary-general Chalermchai Sri-on said after the meeting that there were positive signs and both parties shared a similar policy direction, including on amendments to the Constitution.

“But we should talk again because today we only talked about the principles,” the politician said. “Before we can give Phalang Pracharat an answer, some steps have to be taken. The same goes for Phalang Pracharat. We cannot rush but it should not take too long.”

The hesitation is seen as stemming from the hiccups in the election of house speaker on Saturday, which exposed internal conflicts in the pro-junta bloc. But Chalermchai dismissed the reports, saying the Democrat Party was not concerned about the matter.

Phalang Pracharat leader Uttama Savanayana, who represented the party in extending the invitation yesterday, also said his party had no problem with the issue. The election ended well and the bloc had already shown its support to Democrat candidate Chuan Leekpai.

Uttama said yesterday’s discussion had gone well, allowing both parties to work together.

Later in the afternoon yesterday, Uttama also represented his party in inviting Bhumjaithai to join the coalition.

Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul told media after the meeting that he would discuss the issue within the party again. If all parties agreed to join the coalition, Anutin said they would hold more talks to discuss the direction of the work.

Bhumjaithai’s decision was based on its determination to solve bread-and-butter issues, Anutin stressed.

Though the Phalang Pracharat-led coalition is expected to be unstable because of its lack of a clear majority, Anutin said the house meetings on the weekend had gone smoothly and should be considered stable.

Asked if it were still possible that Bhumjaithai would join the Pheu Thai-led coalition, Anutin said the party had not been approached by any party other than Phalang Pracharat.

Uttama yesterday declined to say anything about Cabinet seat allocation. Reports said the coalition was offering the Democrats and Bhumjaithai at least six ministerial positions in total, including A-list ministries such as Commerce and Transport.

Other parties intending to join the pro-military coalition are Chartthaipattana, Chart Pattana and 11 minor parties with one seat each.

Chartthaipattana MP Nikorn Chamnong said his party had not been invited by Phalang Pracharat to join the government and it would make a decision when its executive board meets.

Prem’s body, covered by the national flag, was moved from Phramongkutklao Hospital to the temple, where a royally sponsored bathing rite is scheduled to take place later today.

Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and his wife Naraporn, along with other public figures, including privy councillors, Cabinet members, court chiefs, the chief of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, leading businessmen, politicians, civil servants as well as Thai citizens, were waiting to bathe the late elder statesman.

Prem, one of Thailand’s most influential political figures for over four decades, who served as Army commander, prime minister and adviser to the Palace, passed away at the age of 98 on Sunday.

The funeral rite will be held from May 27-June 2.