PM irked at Suthep jibe
PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday lashed out at those insinuating something between him and Suthep Thaugsuban's reform before election movement, saying he had to treat everyone the same under the same law.
I urge you not to cause an issue,” he said. Prayut also responded to former coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin’s call for the government’s extending its stay in office, saying one must study the constitution.
The government acts according to the charter, he said, challenging those proposing to find ways for the government to stay within the constitution.
The premier also rejected a recommendation by some National Reform Council (NRC) members to veto the draft charter as a way to prolong the government’s term.
Some NRC members, including Wanchai Sornsiri, have proposed rejecting the new charter as it would make way for an election before reforms are completed. That would mean the coup was staged in vain.
Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Yuthavong said it was impossible to finish reform for every sector before an election. The government needs to stick to the road map. Completing every reform before election could be viewed as buying time, as some reform work needed a long period of time to accomplish.
The government would have more than a year to complete some reforms before an election was held as scheduled and some tangible results would be seen between now and then, he said.
Most people think any movements should be prioritised in line with common interests and not cause trouble for the country, Suan Dusit Poll said yesterday.
The opinion poll on “What do you think about the news briefing by Suthep Thaugsuban on the official opening of the People’s Democratic Reform Foundation?” was conducted from July 30-August 1 with 1,106 responding.
More than 77 per cent thought that whatever a movement was, it should consider national and public interests, while 73 per cent did not wish Suthep’s movement to turn into a political game and consequently cause a stir.
Nearly 65 per cent thought the movement had become a topic of critics, especially among the opposing red shirts, and some 62 per cent thought the government should be able to put things in order.
Almost 79 per cent agreed the movement was likely linked to politics because it involved an agenda for “reform before election” and the foundation’s committee members were all former political actors.
About 16 per cent were uncertain as it could possibly test the waters to see initial feedback, and some 3 per cent said the foundation had the right to work for society.
More than 51 per cent saw the movement heating up Thai politics as it was heavily criticised by red shirts and viewed as a challenge to the government and the National Council for Peace and Order.
RELATED