The programme, which airs in an 8pm prime-time slot on Friday, catapulted Prime Minister PrayutChan-o-cha further into the spotlight with his unique tone of voice and authoritative speaking style. He became a “phenomenon” TV personality thanks to his ability to communicate to his broad fan base with his simple language and dry sense of humour.

“Primetime”, a new programme on Nation TV, last night scrutinised why the programme’s popularity had waned and how does Prayut feels about its decline?

“Returning Happiness to the People” and “Move Thailand Forward”, which airs at 6pm every Friday, are key tools in the PM’s arsenal to try and win the hearts and minds of the |people as part of the government’s proactive “information warfare”.

“Returning Happiness to the People” had used the same monologue format for two years before being revamped.

Along with the programme’s fading popularity, the government faces compounding problems that are yet to be resolved. It is believed the government’s sagging job-approval rating has adversely affected the ratings of the two programmes.

Even after Prayut‘s monologue-style format for “Returning Happiness to the People” was changed to him being interview by three female hosts, the ratings have not greatly improved.

Prayut even changed his look, including his hairstyle and clothes, – going from a military uniform to a western-style suit with tie.

The “Move Thailand Forward” format has also been revamped – going from interviews with ministers into special reports co-produced by Channel 3, 5, 7, 9 and the NBT and Thai PBS. The programme now highlights the life of ordinary people around the country.

Struggling for popularity

The ratings of these programmes hovered around the high nine mark but have since plummeted to less than one.

The government’s websites are also struggling to attract people.

Prayut expressed his frustration about the sagging popularity of the websites during a meeting of officials last month, saying the websites have only 20,000 likes while “Ne Waddaom”, a Facebookpage showing suicide attempts using guns, has more than a million likes.

The National Council for Peace and Order source analysed why the two programmes had suffered falling ratings and found that Prayut‘s fans had become tired of his talk. They prefer to watch prime-time soap dramas, as they are more entertaining and relieve stress, the source found.

The source said the government also faced adverse publicity over its crackdown against charter draft opponents and corruption allegations involving the construction of the Rajabhakti Park.

When asked by the “Prime Time” programme how he felt about the sagging ratings of “Returning Happiness to the People”, Prayut tersely said: “Nothing.” “Prime Time” asked Prayut‘s aide to elaborate on the answer and was told the PM was more interested in how to disseminate state information to the public more effectively rather than boosting his programme’s ratings.

Academic Assoc Prof Uajit Wirojtrairat said many factors had contributed to the shows’ waning popularity including their formats, unsuitable airtimes, long length and boring content.

She said to boost public interest in the shows, the government should stop forcing almost all TV channels to broadcast them, change the airtimes to when most people were relaxing and provide content the public was interested in.

“The PM must also adjust his personality and his team must be bold to tell him that,” she said.

“We will update all that we have done for the public,” Prayut said, adding media members would be allowed to direct queries.

The work that could not be finished during the NCPO’s time in office would likely be forwarded to the next government, and people should follow up on this, the premier said.

Prayut said he did not want to make enemies, but his work often put him on a collision course with many people.

Prayut said the government has done a number of projects but some people might not be satisfied with all the projects.

Even though there may has been some opposition from some people, Prayut said he had to get it done.

“Work requires planning. It’s not that [we] do whatever people like,” he said.

Regarding the August referendum, the PM said he had instructed security officials to take care of and ensure peace and order.

The prime minister said he would not bow to pressure. He would rather take legal action against those violating laws despite being hated by the public.

If people do not like this charter draft, they could reject it, and the process would start all over again, he added.

“But should I resign because of that failure? I just work for the country and it’s actually not my business at all. By saying this, I don’t mean to imply that I will stay longer. But if you want to reject a draft, you should give justified reasons as to the reasons.”

The Criminal Court yesterday called in defence testimony of the nine PAD leaders – Chamlong, 78, Sondhi, 66, Pipop Thongchai, 68, Somkiat Pongpaiboon, 63, Somsak Kosaisuk, 68, Suriyasai Katasila and Chaiwat Sinsuwong, 64.

They are standing trial for subversion, instigating disturbances in the Kingdom, conspiring with more than 10 people to use force with the purpose to instigate unrest with the masterminds and followers who carried arms and resisted officials’ orders.

The charges were filed under Articles 116, 215 and 216 of the Criminal Code.

The writ filed by public prosecutors stated that on May 25, 2008, the nine people held major rallies at Victory Monument, Ratchadamnern Klang Road in Phra Nakhon district.

They used five big trucks as makeshift stages heading to Government House and blocked traffic on surrounding roads of Government House to hold rallies till October 5, 2008.

They put up half-permanent stages, pitched tents and installed a kitchen and blocked traffic on Ratchadamnern Nok with barbed wire.

They set up a security force called the “Srivichai Warriors,” who were equipped with weapons such as baseball bats, catapults and steel batons.

The protest leaders took turns attacking the Samak Sundaravej administration all night long.

They mobilised thousands of protesters to rally at state offices, ministries and Government House to create disturbances.

State attorneys would call in 77 prosecution witnesses including accusers, circumstantial witnesses, injured parties and police at the scene.

They would take 10 hearings to complete all testimony.

The defence lawyers will use six hearings to question 38 witnesses including the nine PAD leaders

The court scheduled the first hearing for prosecution witness on January 25.

The court also approved the request from the nine PAD leaders to hold the trial in their absence, citing that the offences they were charged with were punishable by not more than 10 years in prison and that their lawyers can represent them in court.