PM stands by election roadmap

PM stands by election roadmap

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha greeted the US military chief, Marine Gen Joseph F Dunford Jr, at Government House on Wednesday. (Photo thaigov.go.th)
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha greeted the US military chief, Marine Gen Joseph F Dunford Jr, at Government House on Wednesday. (Photo thaigov.go.th)

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has told the US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff the government is sticking by its roadmap to the next election while the legislative branch is working on the laws related to the poll.

Deputy government spokesman Werachon Sukondhapatipak said the premier met Gen Joseph F Dunford, Jr, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the US Department of Defence, at Government House on Wednesday.

"The prime minister insists on the national reforms that will lead Thailand to a strong and sustainable democracy," Lt Gen Werachon said.

Meanwhile, Gen Dunford said: "I'm very encouraged as I come to Thailand by the commitment of its leadership to democracy. And that commitment to democracy is going to allow us to move forward and deepen our relationship in the future."

When he visited US President Donald Trump on Oct 2 at the White House, Gen Prayut promised in a signed, joint statement to hold elections within 2018.

In a separate development, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his reading of the prime minister's latest remarks on the luxury watch scandal means the premier has decided to protect Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon from political harm, so must prepare for the consequences.

Unless public doubts about his conduct are cleared, the government's work can only get more difficult. He was referring to the PM's remark that if the people love him, they should love the whole of his cabinet as he cannot work alone.

Gen Prawit, who is also the defence minister, returned Wednesday as scheduled from an Asean Defence Ministerial Meeting in Singapore. He told the media he did not feel any pressure to quit. A campaign at change.org which calls on him to quit had attracted 74,000 names by early Thursday.

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