Posted February 17, 2018 06:49:11

A pop song released by Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has not been the hit he expected.

The song released just before Valentine's Day has so far received just 2,000 likes but 38,000 dislikes on YouTube.

Titled Diamond Heart, the song written by Mr Prayuth was sung by a loyal Thai army officer, according to local media.

The introduction to the YouTube post says the song was written for the Thai people, to encourage them to sacrifice for the nation.

The passionate lyrics speak of overcoming troubles and resilience.

Lyrics include, "Did you know your smile is my happiness?" and "No matter how tired and difficult, let's hold hands".

"Make your heart a real diamond, unrelenting,

Side by side today together, obstacles mean nothing,

The lessons we learn are new every day,

We have to build our hearts' dream together so it's resilient".

But this is not the PM's first attempt at pop stardom.

According to the Bangkok Post, his first single — Return Happiness To Thailand — is the theme song of his National Council for Peace and Order and was played repeatedly on Thai radio after Mr Prayuth took power.

The video clip shows the Prime Minister greeting school children, villagers and aid workers, and scenes of modernity in Thailand.

Mr Prayuth led a military coup in 2014, ousting former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Protesters have repeatedly called for a democratic vote but despite promises, elections were again delayed in November last year.

Mr Prayuth has become known for his unorthodox behaviour, particularly towards journalists.

Last month, he walked out of a press conference leaving a cardboard cut-out of himself to answer "questions on politics or conflict".

In the past, he has also fondled the ear of a sound technician for several minutes during an impromptu news conference, flung a banana peel at cameramen and threatened, with gruff humour, to execute any journalist who criticised his Government.

Photo: Mr Prayuth left journalists dumbfounded when he left them to question a life-sized cardboard cut-out of himself. (AP: TPBS)

Topics: world-politics, pop, offbeat, thailand