PM denies bid to cut groups' funding

He said he merely asked the watchdog overseeing the use of the state budget to inspect their funding and management transparency.

In response to a call for the charter to be amended in the section focused on funding to the foundation and Thai PBS, Prayut said it was never his intention to cut their funds, especially the funds of a media organisation.

“It is a normal occasion for every organisation, and funds have to be inspected by the state-budget use watchdog. This is the duty of the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand to inspect. But how to examine? It has to be discussed further,” Prayut said.

“I insist that it is not bullying because of a personal dislike [of Thai PBS] and I want them to cover the good side of the government. I just ask for cooperation to write anything base on the truth and not to publicise anything which will lead to social disharmony,” he said.