PM downplays Paetongtarn’s poll results

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday downplayed a recent Nida poll which puts Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, ahead of other potential picks for prime minister.

Gen Prayut, who came fourth in the survey, said the poll reflects the opinion of certain people. Instead of basing their choices on opinion, he said, votes should judge a candidate based on their performance at work.

Defending his low position in the poll, he said his administration has had to address a range of problems, some of which are harder to resolve than others.

He said public input and participation in such processes are just as important in keeping government projects moving, and some projects haven’t been able to move forward without people’s consent.

Gen Prayut said that the government has not been treated fairly in the media, urging the press to be fairer to him.

Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, deputy leader of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), said the poll results reflected current economic hardships so the government will have to work harder to address such problems.

As social media channels are also being used to discredit the government, he also called on the public to be fair to Gen Prayut.

PPRP MP Surasit Nithiwutthiworarak said party leader Prawit Wongsuwon is launching a tour to promote the work of PPRP cabinet ministers in the provinces. The first leg, led by Labour Minister Suchart Chomklin, will kick off on July 10 in Chon Buri.

He admitted the party is lagging behind others in terms of raising public awareness about its work. However, the MP noted that it had nothing to do with Gen Prayut’s decline in popularity.

While saying the poll did not fully represent the people, he noted that it reflected the opinions of certain groups of people and it should be taken into consideration.

Thirarat Samretwanich, a Bangkok MP and spokeswoman for the Pheu Thai Party, yesterday lashed out at Senator Wanchai Sornsiri for his criticism of the party and Ms Paetongtarn who was widely seen as the party’s potential candidate for prime minister.

Ms Thirarat said that Ms Paetongtarn has never mentioned that she would be a Pheu Thai prime ministerial candidate, so the senator should not jump to any conclusions.