'No room for corruption'

The new Prime Minister, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, last night submitted the list of his Cabinet members for royal endorsement, according to a source close to the ruling junta.

General Prayuth assured that members of his Cabinet would be replaced if their performance was poor or their morals low.

“Any Cabinet member who does not work well will be replaced,” he said. “There is no limit to the number of Cabinet reshuffles. 

“Bad people will have to go and whoever is corrupt will be sent to jail. So please do not worry.”

He was attempting to allay concerns about the quality of his Cabinet members, many of whom are expected to come from the military.

“Don’t be too wary that there are no good people left” to serve the country in the Cabinet, said Prayuth, who also heads the ruling National Council for Peace and Order, and the Army.

Prayuth said the presence of military figures in the Cabinet was necessary in order to deal with certain security issues. 

He also insisted that he would serve the country for the benefit of the country and the people, adding that he did not side with any particular political party.

“I want everyone in the country to look at the country first and not pay much attention to individuals,” he said.

He said that he had the final say on the choice of Cabinet members.

Prayuth was speaking during his weekly TV programme “Returning Happiness to the People in the Country”, which was broadcast nationwide last night.

The top general yesterday began his speech by expressing his gratitude for receiving the royal command appointing him as prime minister. He also acknowledged his responsibility to “move the country towards a sustainable future”.

“I am happy to bear the responsibility in moving the country towards a sustainable future. From now on, I will be responsible for moving the country and the people forward and working together for national development, for the benefit of all,” he said.

Prayuth went on to say that there would also be mechanisms for checks and balances to ensure transparency, integrity and fairness.

“Today, we have to work rapidly on strengthening every system to be more resilient against corruption, especially in our public service, be they civil servants, police or military, and the related private sector,” he said.

A source close to the NCPO said that former Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, Prayuth’s former boss, was likely to become the new interior minister while former Interior deputy permanent secretary Suthee Sukboon would be deputy interior minister.

Former national police chief General Adul Sangsingkaew was expected to become the minister of social development and human security and Akom Termpitthayapaisit was likely to be appointed the Prime Minister’s Office minister, according to another source from the PM’s Office.