PM explains Four Seasons meeting
- Published: 23/02/2012 at 06:10 PM
- Online news: Local News
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday posted on her Facebook page a reply to three allegations concerning her meeting with a group of businessmen at the Four Seasons Hotel on Feb 8.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
Replying to an allegation that she irresponsibly skipped a House meeting it was her duty to attend, she said that as prime minister she is duty-bound to do whatever is most beneficial for the country.
On Feb 8, she checked the agenda and found that she had no particular issues to explain to the House of Representatives and so went to the meeting. The appointment had been made in advance. After the meeting she returned to the parliament and signed in at 4.16pm.
On the criticism that she was not present on Feb 16 to reply to a fresh inquiry raised by Democrat MP Rangsima Rodrassami, Ms Yingluck said on that she was in Lop Buri and Ayutthaya provinces inspecting flood-hit areas. This was part of her pre-arranged visits to flood-hit areas during the period Feb 13 to 17.
On learning that an MP would raise a question for her to reply to on Feb 16, she had assigned Deputy Prime Minister Yutthasak Sasiprapa to reply on her behalf. This was allowed under House regulations.
On the allegation that the Four Seasons meeting was personal, unethical and involved conflict of interest, Ms Yingluck said her meeting with the businessmen at the Executive Club on the 7th floor was for the purpose of hearing their opinions on the country's economic problems and other conditions.
She said her hotel visit was witnessed by a large number of people, including hotel staff and security men.
Since the businessmen who met her under that arrangement did not want to be in the news, the media was not notified of the meeting, Ms Yingluck said.
She said the matters discussed were not personal and did not concern the valuation of land to be used as floodways or water retention areas, as alleged.
The premier said she did not reply to the allegations earlier because she was not keen in playing political games.
"I would like to assure you once again that I will not do anything in a way to reap personal benefit, or to benefit certain individuals or groups. I will do everything for the sustainable happiness of the people," Ms Yingluck said.
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About the author
- Writer: Online Reporters
- Position: Online Reporters
