The management of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party remains unchanged, including the secretary-general post held by Thamanat Prompow, says PPRP leader Prawit Wongsuwon.
Gen Prawit told reporters after the party’s meeting on Thursday that no change was made to the executive team. However, he declined to say whether a change was due next year or in the lead-up to the next general election, or if PPRP’s factions could continue to work together.
Asked if he could keep working with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Gen Prawit said he could.
“The prime minister will do what concerns the prime minister. Otherwise, he could be accused of intervening in the party,” said Gen Prawit, who is also a deputy prime minister.
He said Mr Thamanat would not be an obstacle to coordination within the party.
He also said that he discussed party restructuring at the meeting.
Gen Prawit left just when reporters asked if he would have to discuss any issue regarding PPRP with Gen Prayut again.
In a subsequent press conference of PPRP, its deputy leader Wirach Ratanasate said all issues were addressed as instructed by Gen Prawit. Mr Thamanat was absent from the press conference and Mr Wirach said Mr Thamanat did not want to join it.
Mr Wirach declined to say whether Mr Thamanat had promised to adapt himself so he would work more smoothly with others in the party.
The deputy party leader said PPRP would nominate Gen Prayut as its prime minister candidate in the next general election.
PPRP executive Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn said there would be no more attempt to topple Gen Prayut as the prime minister.
Gen Prayut should have confidence in PPRP, given his bond with Gen Prawit, said Mr Chaiwut.
Last month, Mr Thamanat was sacked by Gen Prayut as deputy agriculture minister. At the same time, Narumon Pinyosinwat was dismissed as a deputy labour minister.
Their dismissals came after Mr Thamanat was accused of plotting to topple Gen Prayut from power, by persuading some MPs within PPRP and smaller coalition parties to vote against the prime minister during the no-confidence debate early last month.