Nakhon Ratchasima: Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon yesterday called for unity among Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) MPs and assured that the coalition government would complete its term, a source said.
Gen Prawit made his remarks at the closing of a two-day PPRP seminar in Nakhon Ratchasima's Wang Nam Khieo district, after reporters were asked to leave the room.
The deputy prime minister's presence at the PPRP gathering, which was organised to prepare party MPs for the upcoming policy debate later this week, drew wide interest because he previously denied being involved with the party.
"From this day on, please don't be factionalised," Gen Prawit was quoted as saying, in what was seen as a reference to the PPRP's infighting over cabinet seat allocations during the formation of the new government.
He also responded to criticism that the new government would be short-lived due to the thin majority the coalition holds in the House of Representatives.
"Don't be afraid. If everyone cooperates as they are now, I'll try to ensure that the government completes its term," he was quoted as saying.
Gen Prawit also gave assurances that he would keep his cool throughout the policy debate, and he would ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to do the same.
The remark was made in response to a comment made by Weerakorn Khamprakob, a PPRP MP for Nakhon Sawan, who asked him and Gen Prayut to not be concerned about the upcoming policy debate, in which Gen Prawit and Gen Prayut will be targeted by the opposition.
According to Mr Weerakorn, a group of MPs has been assigned to counter allegations which are not related to the government's policy manifesto, as the PPRP suspected that some opposition MPs would try to censure Gen Prawit and Gen Prayut in the debate.
He also insisted the group will not attack the opposition as long as they do not stray from the debate framework.
In a media interview, Gen Prawit said he dropped by the PPRP's seminar as a supporter and that he will decide whether to join the PPRP after the parliamentary debate on the government policy manifesto.
He declined to say if he was interested in holding any party position, such as chief adviser to the PPRP. Gen Prawit was scheduled to inspect the drought situation in the province after making an appearance at the PPRP seminar.
Pheu Thai MP for Maha Sarakham, Suthin Khlangsaeng, said yesterday it would not be a surprise if Gen Prawit or Gen Prayut decided to join the PPRP because of their widely known affiliations with core government members.
"Their decision to formally join the party would be welcome because it will allow others to scrutinise them via party mechanisms," he said.