Military junta chief Prayuth Chano-cha says the junta will carefully revise different state projects and schemes in a transparent and impartial manner, and promised there will be no corruption.
Gen Prayuth: There will be no corruption but keep expectations realistic. (Photo by Kitja Apichonrojarek)
But he also warned it will probably be impossible to bring about a win-win situation following the May 22 coup, and warned the public not to place expectations too high.
Col Winthai Suwari, spokesman for the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said Gen Prayuth wanted to send a message to the general public, in response to their criticisms of the NCPO's work.
"We cannot just fix things without considering the consequences," he quoted Gen Prayuth as saying, "because there are laws and regulations. If we take action without studying the impact it could affect many other areas such as the state revenue, Thailand's relations with foreign countries, investors and shareholders."
The spokesman said Gen Prayuth wanted the people to understand that the NCPO's work derives from suggestions and comments made by the public and private sector, advisory panels, the media and even individuals.
He quoted Gen Prayuth directly as saying, "I ask you to have confidence in the NCPO. We will manage different projects and budgets properly, efficiently and in a transparent and impartial manner. People can inspect our work and there will be no corruption, collusion and monopoly.
"The NCPO is determined and is not trying to create benefits for any side, as claimed by many people," Gen Prayuth said.
On people's expectations, he said it would be "difficult to attain a win-win situation". Everyone will receive the benefits they rightfully deserve, he said, while the junta will make sure the national budget does not go astray, the army chief said.
"Many Thai people embrace justice but they're hot-headed, and I understand that," he added. "We're doing the best we can but we cannot solve the problems that have been accumlating for decades in just a few days.
"Political groups and parties and leaders of the different sides of the political divide need to be careful when they say they don't trust or have confidence in the NCPO's work. What you've been doing in the past decades have not been successful. Everyone who admistered the country in the past must take responsibility," he added.