Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has criticised campaign policies of key political parties as "unrealistic and impossible" and urged people in Chiang Mai not to listen to "empty" election promises by politicians.
He did not single out any political parties or individuals, but it is believed that the prime minister was referring to the Pheu Thai, Democrat and Bhumjaithai parties.
Speaking as he led cabinet ministers on a visit to Chiang Mai - a Pheu Thai stronghold and the hometown of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck - Gen Prayut called on residents to not to listen to those who "caused damage to the country".
"Don't listen to people who used to cause damage to the country. I hope you'll get a decent government after the election,'' Gen Prayut said in front of about 5,000 people who were at Rajaprajanugroh 31 School in Mae Chaem district to welcome him.
It has been estimated that the rice-pledging scheme under Yingluck's administration caused losses of around 500 billion baht.
Yingluck fled abroad in August 2017, ahead of a court ruling that would have seen her sentenced to up to 10 years in prison for negligence.
The prime minister also attacked other politicians' campaign policies, which he described as "unrealistic".
"Some say they will give 600 baht to every child at childcare centres, while some say they will support students' education through to university," said Gen Prayut.
"I am not nitpicking for faults, but the government has to clarify whether it can deliver those promises."
"They are liars. Don't let them deceive you, particularly those who say they will clear all debts nationwide," he said. "That's impossible."
Gen Prayut's reference to a 600-baht money allocation for child care was an apparent dig aimed at the Democrat Party, while the reference to free education was supposedly targeted at the Bhumjaithai Party.
"Don't listen to those who promised you land or to dig wells for every household. This is impossible," he said.
"They are not telling the truth. Everyone likes these promises, but are they even feasible?" Gen Prayut said.
The prime minister also defended his government's record.
He said his government has plans to build roads nationwide, which is a part of the regime's masterplan for infrastructure development.
The government has also devised measures to address farmers' debts -- currently estimated to stand at about 400 billion baht -- which includes a moratorium on debt repayment, Gen Prayut said.
"However, some politicians have promised that they will clear all farmers' debts if they are voted into power," he said. "This is both unrealistic and impossible."
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