Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday challenged the opposition to go ahead with its plan to seek an investigation against him for an alleged ethical violation over his oath blunder.
Gen Prayut was responding to a move by the opposition camp which was considering petitioning the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to investigate him for breaching ethics as well as forwarding the case to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for a ruling.
Gen Prayut said he respected the justice process and would not dodge scrutiny. He added that the opposition could proceed with its plan to seek an investigation against him.
The premier has had a number of complaints filed against him including the Constitutional Court and the Administrative Court.
Asked if the petition threat was prompted by his failure to clarify the issue, he said it was the opposition's standpoint and noted that Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam covered everything in the debate.
When asked if things would be clearer if Gen Prayut tackled the oath issue himself, he said: "You know what they want. They want me to say something and I have to be extremely careful."
He also shrugged off the opposition's plan to seek a no-confidence debate against him for failing to clarify the issue in Wednesday's parliament debate. "Wherever they want to drag the issue. I can explain," he said.
Gen Prayut also called on politicians to pursue their political bidding with caution including the charter amendment campaign.
He said he was not opposed to the move but they should take the issue step by step.
Meanwhile, House Speaker Chuan Leekpai said yesterday it was too early to say if he will forward to the NACC the opposition's planned petition against Gen Prayut over his oath blunder.
He said he will have to exercise his judgement once he receives the petition which was announced by Wan Muhammad Nor Matha, leader of the Prachachat Party following the general debate on Wednesday.