This is Prayuth´s legacy. The General will forever be remembered as the dictator who destroyed Thailand's economy, by holding on to power for too long in a vain attempt to increase the army's popularity.
That hold on power, is slipping away almost by the minute, as anti-coup groups openly defy the junta and vow to continue their protests against the army, even if it means being summoned to a secret location for an "attitude adjustment".
Prayuth's gamble is now lost. His foolish attempt to create a nation of "happy" idiots, who talk about everything except politics, is not the answer to Thailand's problems. The solution is more debate, about the monarchy, about 112, about the royal succession and a Thai Republic.
Like other dictators throughout history, Prayuth believed that his coup would be quick and things could get back to normal in no time. Clearly, the General was wrong, and Thai people now face the prospect of a long volatile period under Marshall law.
Thai businessmen too, know what awaits them. Few countries want to do business with a hard line military regime which fails to respect basic Human Rights. They know that Thailand's economy will suffer because of the corrupt army, and no-one will be allowed to say so.
propaganda
Not even the army's manipulated polls which laughingly claim that Prayuth's junta has 90% support from Thai people, and the endless crude propaganda on TV, can stop the rot now.
Already cracks are beginning to appear in the regime, with a total lack of control on information, about who has been sacked by NCPO and under what circumstances. The army can't even control leaks of secret junta documents on social networks like Facebook.
Prayuth's days as dictator are now numbered. He would do well to listen to the warnings and go for the sake of Thailand. A collapse of the junta and a swift return to democracy, may be closer than people think.