Army chief Apirat Kongsompong has dismissed as "fake news" a social media post alleging he threatened to "come out" to end the chaos if a no-confidence debate was launched against Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Gen Apirat on Wednesday insisted he had never made any such remark. Reporters accompanying him who filed stories and interviews were fully aware the social media post was fake, he said.
The army chief was responding to a social media post with his photo and the message, in Thai, “A censure debate against the prime minister is akin to obstructing the country. If chaos erupts because people act with malice, I will have to come out to work for the country. Don’t force me" was widely shared online.
Gen Apirat said the post was puzzling because he had refrained from giving media interviews for some time.
“A censure debate against the prime minister is a matter for the parliament, and is normal to all eras and administrations. It’s a political procedure in parliament, in line with the democratic system. Nobody can stop anyone from doing it. Don’t try to drag me into this affair,’’ the army chief said.
He expressed confidence Gen Prayut could handle any political situation. The prime minister was ready to explain all issues in parliament, Gen Apirat said.