Prayut urges rival politicians to reconcile

He said politicians should be engaged in “constructive talks” that focus on reconciliation, instead of creating more conflict.

“Old problems must be put aside so the country will be able to move forward. Don’t keep old problems while creating new ones. We don’t go anywhere. No reform is happening,” the prime minister said. 

“Just going to vote in the referendum and the general election is so difficult,” he added.

Prayut said he had encouraged talks between politicians in conflict with each other but such talks should not result in pressuring the government or the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

He said there should not be preconditions exempting certain politicians from legal action, adding that they have to fight their legal cases.

“Don’t force me to include certain people in the talks. If they want talks, I will organise one. But it’s still not the time now,” he said.

When asked whether he would hold a forum for reconciliation, Prayut said he had considered the idea and the National Reform Steering Assembly is doing the job now.

The prime minister also shrugged off a recent meeting in Singapore between former commerce minister Watana Muangsook and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

In a recent Facebook post, Watana showed photos of him with Thaksin and during a flight, with his white T-shirt displaying a message in red lettering saying he is against the draft constitution.

“That has no impact on me or the NCPO. I don’t worry,” Prayut said when asked to comment on the matter.

He said Watana benefited from the recent lifting of the NCPO’s order prohibiting politicians from travelling overseas.

Prayut added, however, that the NCPO and government legal authorities are determining whether politicians travelling overseas have “created further problems”.