Top postings merit based, says Prayut
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OFFICIALS NOT CHOSEN TO EMPOWER JUNTA, HE SAYS, BUT TO PROTECT NATION'S INTERESTS
PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha said the recent appointment of top bureaucrats to administrative roles in the government was based on merit, not with the intention of holding on to power.
He made his comments yesterday after completing his reshuffle of the Cabinet.
“The list of names is according to that provided [by different state agencies]. [This group of people] has not been selected with the purpose of sharing power. They haven’t been selected to protect me. It is better to protect the country’s interests,” said the prime minister.
Prayut added that the selection of this new group of administrative cadres was based on merit.
The prime minister also urged media not to pay too much attention to the statements of some groups of politicians. He highlighted the fact that many had not even taken peoples’ interests into account while they were in power.
When asked whether his brother, General Preecha Chan-o-cha, would be appointed as Army chief, the premier would neither confirm nor deny the possibility.
The prime minister responded to the question by saying “there would be no problem if it happened that [my] brother was appointed. If it was someone else, there would also be no problem.”
As for the appointment of military officers in different roles, such as at the National Security Council, the premier had no opposition to this. He said that the appointment of the new secretary general of the NRC would be done in an appropriate manner. The new NRC chief would be a person who fitted well with the job.
In a similar development, the PM also placed emphasis on the fact that military officers who assumed administrative posts understood their roles in the current situation.
“The military nowadays is unlike that of the old days. I conduct administrative tasks in a holistic manner by listening to [all] advice. When an issue requires consultation, I consult. When the issue needs to have a clear instruction, I would not hesitate to give the order,” Prayut said.
At the same time, the PM highlighted that the new Cabinet would ensure the continuity of policies and would place emphasis on gaining more concrete results from every aspect.
“The previous Cabinet has laid ground rules in terms of principles, regulations as well as [physical and institutional] infrastructure. Most of the work was conducted following guidelines of the previous government. In the meantime, the new Cabinet will place more emphasis on actionable and concrete plans according to the roadmap,” he said.
The previous and current Cabinets would work in close cooperation, Prayut said.
He added that every ministry would work in a holistic manner. The Foreign Ministry would have to work in parallel with other ministries to boost trade relations and improve Thailand’s image worldwide.
“So far, the foreign community understands the situation in the country and has no problem in engaging with Thailand,” said Prayut, adding that it was only his military title that prevented some countries from normalising ties with the Kingdom.
