Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hit back at opposition parties on the first of a two-day general debate on Thursday, dismissing accusations that the government had abused its power and citing an epic Hindu tale about good triumphing over evil known as the Ramakien.
During the debate, which will not wrap up with a vote on Friday, Gen Prayut likened himself to Phra Ram, the main protagonist of the Thai adaptation of the Indian Ramayana epic, while describing the opposition as incarnations of Thotsakan — the so-called king of demons.
According to the legend, Phra Ram leads an army of monkeys to wage war against Thotsakan and rescue his wife, Sida, whom the demon king has kidnapped. In the…
