PM reaffirms intention to complete full term

By Thai Newsroom Reporters

PRIME MINISTER SRETTHA Thavisin reassured today (Feb.13) he has unfaltering intention to run the country throughout the Pheu Thai-led government’s four-year term during which, he said, the people’s welfare will be better.

The Pheu Thai-endorsed Srettha was apparently responding to sustained speculation that he might possibly be pressed to resign sooner or later and be replaced by somebody else among the leadership of the Pheu Thai-led coalition partners now that de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict Thaksin Shinawatra is being released on parole.

Srettha, known as personally associated with deposed prime minister/Thaksin’s sister Yingluck Shinawatra who had quietly pushed for his rise to power following last year’s election, did not either confirm or deny speculation that he might possibly change his mind and finally bow out of the Pheu Thai-led government in face of mounting pressure from within the Thaksin-orchestrated core coalition partner.

More or less speculated to succeed Srettha as head of government could possibly be Pheu Thai leader/Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Palang Pracharath leader Prawit Wongsuwan, partisan sources said.

It will be very unlikely for de facto Ruam Thai Sang Chart boss/former army chief-turned-prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to assume the elected premiership since he has already become one of the privy councillors, according to the partisan sources.

Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who concurrently acts as leader of the Bhumjaithai under de facto party boss Newin Chidchob, stands a very slim chance to replace Srettha as head of government, they said.

The speculated change of the head of government in lieu of the real estate tycoon-turned-prime minister could probably occur at any time ahead of May 11 upon which date the 250 coup junta-appointed senators will have completed their five-year term.

The current senators are constitutionally empowered to join the ranks of the elected MPs in the voting for a prime minister as had been the case in last year’s successful naming of the Pheu Thai-backed Srettha as prime minister. Such undemocratic power of the junta-named senators will no longer be given to the future ones in accordance with the junta-designed constitution.

Justice Minister Thawee Sodsong today confirmed the de facto Pheu Thai boss-cum-convict has been granted parole so he could return home from Police Hospital on the upcoming Sunday or Monday.

Given release on parole, the politically influential Thaksin is largely believed to continue a pivotal role in the power play, albeit in hush-hush fashion, pertaining to the Pheu Thai-led government’s running of the country.

In the meantime, Natural Resources & Environment Minister Patcharawat Wongsuwan today categorically dismissed hearsay that he would call it quits and be replaced soon by his elder brother Prawit as a member of cabinet.

Both Palang Pracharath secretary-general Thammanat Prompao and Patcharawat soft-pedalled the speculation that the party leader’s brother will sooner than later resign as natural resources & environment minister to pave way for Prawit who had earlier assumed the posts of deputy prime minister and defence minister in previous governments to assume a ministerial seat in the current Pheu Thai-led government.

Thammanat did not either confirm or deny parallel rumours that Prawit might be probably preparing himself to jump onto the bandwagon with either his younger brother Patcharawat or Deputy Public Health Minister Santi Prompat bowing out of the Pheu Thai-led cabinet.

However, Prawit is more or less expected to return to the action-packed political arena after keeping a low profile since the last several months.

Among several frontline figures, Prawit had contested in vain for head of government following last year’s general election in which his conservative camp had won 40 MP seats, including the single one held by himself in party-listed mode.

CAPTION:

Top and Front Page: Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Both photos: Thai Rath

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