Military top brass and the police chief on Thursday met for lunch with Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, a move seen as showing moral support for the army chief in the wake of the heavy criticism from the yellow-shirt movement of his position on the legal battle with Cambodia over Preah Vihear.
Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)
Those present included Supreme Commander Thanasak Patimaprakorn, Royal Thai Navy chief Surasak Rounroengrom, Royal Thai Air Force chief Prajin Jantong, national police chief Adul Saengsingkaew and defence permanent secretary Gen Tanongsak Apirakyothin.
They met with Gen Prayuth at the Royal Thai Army Headquaters.
An army source said the group wanted to show their support for the army chief after the ASTV-Manager television station and newspaper lambasted him for his stance on the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. The meeting was suggested by Gen Tanongsak and Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa, a former deputy prime minister.
Adm Surasak told the press before meeting with Gen Prayuth that the luncheon had no hidden agenda as leaders of the armed forces often met over a meal to talk and exchange views "like brothers".
He played down speculation that the lunch meeting was intended to cheer up the army chief, saying the man was already tough and his morale was good.
ACM Prajin said it was just another normal get-together ahead of the monthly meeting of the Defence Council when they would discuss issues to be addressed.