Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung "postponed" his first trip ever to the deep South, saying he was needed in Bangkok to help the government push through its bill to borrow two trillion baht for infrastructure projects.
In order to call off the planned to the South, Mr Chalerm said Tuesday he also phoned to cancel a planned meeting on March 28 at Langkawi with former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. No new date was set for either the Thailand or Malaysia legs of the postponed trip, but the deputy prime minister said it would be "soon".
Mr Chalerm never has made a trip to the three restive provinces which make up the deep South.
He said Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra ordered him to call off the trips and remain in Bangkok to attend parliament sessions, where he is considered a lead debater. The government has introduced a bill to to borrow two trillion baht to fund a seven-year infrastructure overhaul. The first parliamentary session is on March 28.
Mr Chalerm said he has been assigned to clarify and answer legal issues arising from the government's position. The Democrats said on Tuesday they believe the bill is illegal and perhaps unconstitutional.