Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday confirmed that Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapa will not be dismissed from his post following the controversial audio clip alleged to be a conversation between himself and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Speaking after a meeting with the supreme commander and army, air force and navy chiefs on her first day of work at the defence ministry, Ms Yingluck said she will give Gen Yuthasak a chance to prove himself
The premier’s comments came after reports suggested that Gen Yuthasak would be removed from his post in the wake of the clip.
“Everyone must try their best to perform their duties and prove their competence," Ms Yingluck said. "I cannot say at this time whether Gen Yuthasak is a suitable person to help me oversee the Ministry of Defence. Let us wait and see his performance.”
When repeatedly asked by reporters whether Gen Yuthasak should take responsibility for the audio clip, Ms Yingluck looked at him standing beside her, and asked the journalists: “Don’t you care about Gen Yuthasak’s feelings?”
The premier said relevant state agencies are now checking the authenticity of the clip, arguing that it would be better for the public to focus on Gen Yuthasak’s determination to work for the country and his performance in that task.
Ms Yingluck insisted that she will put the utmost effort into her new role of defence minister to benefit Thai people and the country.
She said she was confident that the armed forces commanders would continue to trust Gen Yuthasak following the clip, because they all want the country to move forward.