Surprisingly popular: Thai military junta says 99% of people are happy with it

It’s the kind of poll result you’d see in a North Korean election or Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. Thailand’s military-ruled government says 99% of the country’s people are happy with its performance since it took power in a coup last year. The junta has relentlessly pursued critics, jailing them for attempting to stage protests, lighting candles or even hitting the “like” button on Facebook. Yet, the poll, conducted by the government-run National Statistical Organization found that 98.9 percent of respondents were satisfied and confident in the government’s performance. However, three different sources gave three different figures for the numbers who took part.

We have tried for 83 years with many coups. Now I want the real reform to take place. This is for our children’s future.

Junta leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha

The junta, led by Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, took power from an elected government in May 2014 following months of protests. He has been criticized for taking Thailand, once a beacon of democracy and freedom in South-east Asia, backward. Meanwhile, as a new year’s gift to cheer up his people, the junta leader has written a song called, Because You Are Thailand. It was his second such morale-boosting effort since seizing power. Shortly after the coup, he penned the lyrics to a tune called, Returning Happiness To The People, which is often played on state-controlled radio and TV stations.

Because you are Thailand, you will not let anyone destroy you

Lyric from the new song

thailand Asia-Pacific