FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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PM erupts after questions about ‘cruel’ charter

PM erupts after questions about ‘cruel’ charter

A month after promising to become a 'good guy', Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday reacted furiously when asked by media about the highly-discussed charter draft and his administration.

"Tell me how this draft is cruel," the premier said at his weekly press briefing when asked of his thoughts of comments by the Constitution Drafting Commission chairman Meechai Ruchupan, who said that the 'more cruel version of charter' would be active if this draft is voted down in a national referendum.
 
"They talk about the new authority of the Constitution Court. They say it will be overwhelming. But tell me, who else will end all the crises?" Prayut continued. "The Court could do nothing prior to May 22 [2014], and I had to come to put an end to it. Did I ever want to?" he exclaimed. 
 
The premier’s mood in the morning was already soured by the media questions in regard to the water management plan, but PM Prayut stopped short to say anything, when asked what set him off. "Stupid. Try finding an answer yourself (rather than asking everything). Aren't you all already smart?" Read the news. I do, and that’s why I know things,” he uttered in a verbal tirade.
 
A source close to the premier said that Prayut was irritated by news on the charter draft and election, as well as reshuffle of permanent civil servants, especially military officers.
 
On the same day, Government Spokesperson Maj General Sansern Kaewkamnerd asked media to lift their working standards and reform themselves. 
 
They should also not let people with hidden agendas manipulate them to spread distorted information, that will only destroy the Kingdom's images, Sansern said.
 
The media should also be more careful with reporting, he said.
 
 "For instance, discussions on the charter draft via the media were shallow, without attempts to understand that it is designed to prevent [political] conflicts," he said.
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