Prayut mum on Pridiyathorn leading Palang Pracharath’s economic team

PRIME Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Oct. 21) refused to comment on a possible cabinet reshuffle and a suggestion that former deputy prime minister MR Pridiyathorn Devakula is suitable to head Palang Pracharath Party’s economic team, Thai Rath and Matichon newspapers said.

After attending the Special Economic Zone Development Policy Committee meeting at the Government House this morning Prayut was questioned about Mr. Nirote Sunthornlekha, Palang Pracharath MP for Nakhon Sawan and chief government whip, having said that as the country needs a macroeconomic expert to restore stability after the impact of Covid-19 pandemic Pridiyathorn is most suitable as party’s economic chief.

The person taking this role need not be a candidate for prime minister but could helm the economic team, he had said.

However Prayut refused to answer questions about Pridiyathorn being roped in and quickly walked into Thai Khu Fah building.

Reporters noticed that after today’s meeting Prayut held a private conversation with Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda for 15 minutes.

Earlier Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Palang Pracharath Party Prawit Wongsuwan said that the appointment of Pridiyathorn as head of the party’s economic team had not been discussed.

He added that he had a good relationship with Pridiyathorn.

Asked about the latter having given information to the National Anti-Corruption Commission that Mr. Pattawat Suksriwong, a friend of Prawit, had not inherited luxury watches, Prawit countered by asking how Pridiyathorn knew about this issue.

He added that while Pattawat had inherited the luxury watches he did not register them as such because various papers were missing.

This concerns inheritance by children and grandchildren and there is no problem about lending them with the estate manager not having to know about everything, he  pointed out

CAPTIONS:

Top: Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Palang Pracharath Party leader Prawit Wongsuwan, right, MR Pridiyathorn Devakula, left. Photo: Matichon

Front Page: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Photo: Thai Rath

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