Sudarat dashes hopes of joining Prayut government

Sudarat dashes hopes of joining Prayut government

Veteran Pheu Thai politician Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan has returned to the political limelight unexpectedly, thanks to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's remark about their long acquaintanceship.

"I have known her very well since I was just a major," the prime minister said, triggering speculation that she might play a key role in political reconciliation between the current regime and the Thaksin Shinawatra faction.

Given Gen Prayut's signature speaking style which is unscripted and often sparked by what he sees and thinks at the moment, his remark may well not be political at all.

The prime minister was speaking at the wedding of the son of former finance minister Somkid Chatusripitak, a former top Pheu Thai politician turned regime supporter.

The general was in a buoyant mood, firing away jokes as he turned the usually sermon-like wedding speech into light-hearted political talk urging people to join hands and leave conflicts behind.

"I want all sides to forget their conflicts and move the country forward together. I want to see the country full of laughter, stop quarrelling and join hands so our situation gets better."

At that point, Khunying Sudarat, arriving late at the party, was entering the hall.

He noticed her coming in and acknowledged her presence with his impromptu remark about their longstanding friendship.

Intentional or not, his remark was decoded by the media as Gen Prayut's sending a political signal that he wants Khunying Sudarat - given her close ties with both the military and Thaksin Shinawatra - to play a key role in political reconciliation. 

The speculation also grew from a rumour that she and other core leaders of the Pheu Thai and other parties recently met at a hotel in Khao Yai owned by Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party who is close to veteran politician Newin Chidchob.

Other big-name politicians thought to have attended the party were Somsak Thepsuthin, Pinit Charusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana.

Gen Prayut later insisted his remark about Khunying Sudarat did not carry any political implications.

He also denied rumours he was planning to form a "national unity government" comprising politicians of different parties after a cabinet reshuffle. 

Khunying Sudarat: Cannot work with a military regime

He said no politicians would be recruited to his government should there be a cabinet reshuffle.

"Their time is after the general election, not now," he said.

"The military is not stupid; we can work as a government," he added. 

Khunying Sudarat was also caught off-guard by what ensued after Gen Prayut's old-friend remark.

She categorically denied the Khao Yai meeting rumour and insisted she has never been approached by the military to work for the Prayut government.

Had there been an invitation, she would not have been able to work with an unelected government, she said.

Although she is close to many generals who now rule the country, she denied a close acquaintance with Gen Prayut.

When he was a major, she said she was just beginning her political career.

The coup has also made it difficult for politicians and the military to get close to one another. For her, it is impractical for the military to recruit politicians to become ministers because it would will be difficult to justify such moves to the public, especially if the politicians make a point of standing up for democracy.

The move would hurt both the coup-makers and former elected politicians. The public might also put up resistance.

After nearly a year in office, Gen Prayut has spoken little about reconciliation. Nor he has sent any signals that would pave the way towards reconciliation.

The reconciliation remark at the wedding party may well reflect Gen Prayut's occasional recollection of the original goal of the coup, which was to end the country's prolonged political conflicts and restore stability through political reconciliation. 


Nattaya Chetchotiros is Assistant News Editor, Bangkok Post.

Nattaya Chetchotiros

Assistant News Editor

Nattaya Chetchotiros is Assistant News Editor, Bangkok Post.

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