Across the border in Thailand, previously Asia’s tiger-cub economy, the military rulers seem determined to show the incompetence of armed forces in running a modern economy.

What is clear is that the Myanmese and Thai militaries are moving in opposite directions. Until they both yield to civilian politicians, Asia will be performing below its potential, to the detriment of the world and especially to the people of both countries.

Junta leader and prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha continues to stall on the timetable for new elections.

His attacks on “extreme human rights”, the danger of people voting for the wrong party, and “too much democracy” suggest a lack of seriousness about a return to civilian rule.

But his recent remarks about women suggest that he is still living in the middle of the last century.

“Women are the gender of motherhood,” Prayuth claimed. “When you return home … who is it? Who has a wife? Isn’t the wife looking after the home? At home she’s the big boss, isn’t she? Outside I’m the boss – at work, everywhere I have lots of authority.

When I return home, I have to be quiet because she’s looking after the home, the kids, everything in the house. I haven’t done anything at home since we married, she’s doing everything…

“That’s why I have my head free to think about everything [else], not worrying about anything, not picking up the kids, not doing anything at all, because I work far away from home. That’s the small difference! But all the bad things I have done to her have benefited others.”

Source: In Myanmar and Thailand, two militaries moving in opposite directions | South China Morning Post