Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday said he would not start using the social networking app Clubhouse because he preferred using podcasts to communicate directly with voters.
"I haven't have time for the app and will not download it,'' the PM said in response to questions about whether he intended following the lead of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been trying it out.
Speaking after yesterday's cabinet meeting, the PM said he had instructed government officials to monitor Thaksin's Clubhouse chat room and check for any distorted information that might be posted there.
Asked if the former PM had distorted any facts while talking on Clubhouse on Feb 22, Gen Prayut said he had not listened to it and wondered why people liked giving Thaksin so much attention.
He said issues that could make the country peaceful and stable deserved more attention, otherwise society would be chaotic and people would be disheartened.
Alluding to Thaksin, Gen Prayut urged people to think about those who might be negatively impacted by his remarks.
Thaksin has opened a chat room in Clubhouse under the account name of "Tony Woodsame" and already has followers in the six digits and plenty of feedback. He has also joined a chat room for the Thai Rak Thai Party that he founded and has since been dissolved.
Gen Prayut's latest foray into social media is a weekly podcast that keeps people updated on the government's overall work progress, he said.