PM upset over remarks by ambassador

He also reiterated that Thailand’s problems should be solved domestically and there should be no intervention from outside the country.

“What I care most is that we should not allow foreigners to interfere with our country. This is our home, our country. Don’t forget that we have our own laws. Outsiders do not understand what’s going on in our country,” he said.

The prime minister said, “I don’t know if he understood what I said. I hear that he can speak Thai. But it seemed he didn’t understand me. He reported back wrongly.”

Prayut made his remarks while presiding over the Thailand Innovation and Design Expo 2015 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, where he presented the Prime Minister’s Export Awards to the country’s outstanding exporters.

On Tuesday, the International Day of Democracy, British Ambassador Mark Kent had criticised Thailand’s democracy in his article on the website of the British government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

“Following last year’s military coup in Thailand, the UK and other members of the international community, including the secretary-general of the UN, called for the early restoration of democracy. That seems even further away now than it did then,” he wrote.

“In Thailand, a particularly worrying manifestation is the use of criminal defamation laws to instil fear and prevent people from raising legitimate concerns about wrongdoing and the abuse of power.”

The envoy’s article concludes, “The important thing is that there is space for debate, and opposition. As Thailand once again begins the process of agreeing a new Constitution I hope there will be a full and free public debate on the implications for democracy.”

Kent, who took over as ambassador in August 2012, can read, write and speak Thai.

General Prayut yesterday said that conflict between different groups of people would weaken the country’s productivity and competitiveness. 

He said his government was removing the “piles of garbage hidden under the carpet” in an attempt to strengthen economy and the country as a whole. “We are focusing on the economy, to improve the people’s well-being, and then we can start boosting the competitiveness.”

Regarding the country’s security, the prime minister said that there were “cockroaches gnawing and damaging” the country’s stability.

“If things go on like this, there will be no investment. Our country won’t be able to move forward. If the country is not peaceful, we won’t be able to advance,” he said.

Prayut said he was not attempting to woo support from the public, as he had no plan to stay on in power. He said that during his visit to Japan, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had asked him if he was interested in entering politics. He said he had told Abe that he preferred to be a “spectator”, as he was not a politician.